Oysters: A Natural Solution for Climate Change in Virginia

Oysters are not only a delicious delicacy, but also a vital natural and economic resource for Virginia. They provide multiple benefits for the Chesapeake Bay and its coastal communities, such as filtering pollutants, creating habitat, and protecting shorelines. However, oyster populations have declined dramatically over the past century due to overharvesting, pollution, and disease. Fortunately, there is hope for the future of these bivalves, thanks to the efforts of various organizations and individuals who are working to restore oyster reefs in Virginia waters.

The State of Oysters in Virginia

According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), oysters in the Chesapeake Bay are on the rebound. In 2023, roughly 300,000 bushels of oysters were harvested in Virginia waters, more than in any year since the 1980s. This is partly due to a program of aquaculture and resource management that has been implemented by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). The program involves leasing submerged lands to private oyster growers, who cultivate oysters in cages or floats. The program also involves creating oyster sanctuaries, where oysters are protected from harvesting and allowed to reproduce naturally.

The CBF estimates that there are about 800 million adult oysters in the bay, which is about 15% of the historic population. While this is a significant improvement from the 1990s, when oysters were at an all-time low of 1% of their historic levels, there is still a long way to go to reach the goal of 10 billion oysters by 2025, set by the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

The Benefits of Oyster Restoration

Restoring oyster reefs can have multiple benefits for the bay and its inhabitants, especially in the face of climate change and its challenges. A recent report by the CBF outlines some of the strategies and opportunities for maximizing these benefits. Some of the key points are:

• Oysters filter sediment and algae from the water, improving water quality and clarity. This allows more sunlight to reach underwater plants, which produce oxygen and sequester carbon. Oysters also remove nitrogen and phosphorus, which are harmful pollutants in excess, from the water.
• Oyster reefs provide habitat and food for many other species, such as fish, crabs, and birds. They also increase biodiversity and resilience of the ecosystem. Oyster reefs can support commercial and recreational fisheries, as well as ecotourism and education.
• Oyster reefs can help protect shorelines from erosion and flooding, by reducing wave energy and stabilizing sediments. They can also help buffer the effects of sea level rise and storm surges, by accreting vertically as they grow. Oyster reefs can be integrated with living shorelines, which are natural or nature-based approaches to shoreline protection that use plants, sand, and other materials.
• Oyster restoration can also provide social, cultural, and economic benefits for coastal communities, such as creating jobs, enhancing food security, and preserving heritage.

The Future of Oyster Restoration

The CBF report also provides some recommendations and best practices for advancing oyster restoration in Virginia and the bay. Some of the main suggestions are:

• Implementing strong policies and regulations that support oyster restoration and management, such as reducing shoreline hardening, increasing funding and incentives, and enforcing harvest limits and sanctuaries.
• Applying the best available science and technology to guide oyster restoration and monitoring, such as using remote sensing, genetic analysis, and adaptive management.
• Engaging and collaborating with diverse stakeholders and partners, such as oyster growers, watermen, scientists, policymakers, and the public, to ensure shared goals, values, and benefits.
• Communicating and educating about the importance and potential of oyster restoration, such as through outreach, media, and advocacy.

Oyster restoration is a complex and challenging endeavor, but also a rewarding and promising one. By restoring oysters, we can not only revive a valuable natural and economic resource, but also a powerful tool to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Oysters are indeed a natural solution for a sustainable and resilient future in Virginia.