Don’t Call it a Comeback: How The Barnegat Oyster Collective Saved the NJ Oyster
New Jersey oysters aren't just alive and thriving, they're really tasty, too...
In the early 1900s, Barnegat Bay was laden with millions of oysters. Over time, the population dwindled due to over-harvesting, environmental changes and disease. Until fairly recently, the bay became a graveyard of what once was—it was where oysters went to die.
However, the last decade has turned the page on this melancholic desolation. Thanks to a group of independent shellfish farmers and aquaculturists, the variety and abundance of oysters in Barnegat Bay has made a comeback. The Barnegat Oyster Collective is actively working to make New Jersey one of the hottest spots for oysters on the east coast once again.
But, saving the native oyster population was no easy feat for the collective. It took a decade of dedicated work—with a focus on “oyster seeding” within the Barnegat Bay.
This story delves into the who, why and how of saving a native oyster population. If you think it’s just to supply raw bars with the bivalve, think again. Oysters are crucial to our environment’s well being.
Good news for you: Eating local oysters is the best way to help. Read the full story at the link below.
This story was originally published in 2023 and is updated periodically to coincide with BOC’s work and mission.