Case Studies

Olympia Oyster Restoration Project:
Re-seeding the Northwest's Only Native Oyster

This oyster has many seeded oysters growing on its shell. Since 1999, more than five million Olympia oysters have been seeded.

With natural habitat ranging from Alaska to Mexico, the Olympia oyster is the only oyster native to the Pacific Northwest. For thousands of years, the oyster provided sustenance for tribes, and habitat for a host of marine organisms. Because it is a filter feeder, it improves water quality as it filters food from the water. Until the end of the nineteenth century, it was the most abundant bivalve in the Puget Sound, but over-harvesting, sediment loads, and pollution have caused the near extinction of this oyster. Today, it is found in only a fraction of its former habitat and is a candidate threatened species in Washington State.

“Any species with a story this rich is bound to attract collaborators,” said Betsy Peabody, Executive Director of The Puget Sound Restoration Fund.

Since 1999, the Olympia Oyster Restoration Project has seeded more than five million oysters at 80 experimental sites across Puget Sound with assistance from over 100 partners. Of these sites, 64 involved private landowners planting oysters on their properties. An income-generating oyster farm is being developed to support future efforts.

Scientists work to seed oyster beds in Puget Sound. Partnerships were formed to determine the best habitats for oyster restoration.

Partnerships were formed to identify appropriate habitats for oyster restoration, modify substrate, propagate and seed the oysters, and to monitor the results. Seeding has been intensified where plantings showed promising results and the substrate has been improved by adding old oyster shells. A regional advisory group of shellfish farmers and scientists provides technical support and genetic research is being used to safeguard genetic integrity.

Partner organizations in this project include: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Puget Sound Restoration Fund, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Taylor Shellfish Farms, the Skokomish, Squaxin, and Suquamish Indian Tribes, the Lummi Nation, N.W. Indian Fisheries Commission, U.S. Navy, Marine Resources Committees, Seattle Shellfish Company, Shell Puget Sound Refinery, 64 private tideland owners, and others.

(top)