{"id":15434,"date":"2021-10-12T20:06:26","date_gmt":"2021-10-12T20:06:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coastalconservationleague.org\/?page_id=15434"},"modified":"2023-08-01T14:24:27","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T14:24:27","slug":"oyster-recycling","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.coastalconservationleague.org\/oyster-recycling\/","title":{"rendered":"Oyster Recycling"},"content":{"rendered":"
Our oysters are substrate limited. This means that our oyster population growth is limited by the amount of oyster shell available in the waterways. Baby oysters, also known as spat, need a hard, shell-like surface to attach to, so they are not smothered by pluff mud. When this lack of recycled shell is combined with larger environmental and water quality changes, development pressures and unsustainable oyster harvesting practices, we begin to understand the reasons we now have a declining wild oyster population in South Carolina<\/em>. Reference this website as a guide to ensure you enjoy these delicious bivalves responsibly.<\/strong><\/p>\n So, you\u2019re interested in harvesting your own oysters? Think they taste better knowing you, individually, hand-selected your own clusters? I don\u2019t blame you. Here are a few key rules to know before you go!<\/p>\n You\u2019re done with your backyard oyster roast, and you\u2019ve heard about the importance of the shell going back into our waterways to create habitat for future oysters to grow. So, you\u2019re going to go to your closest waterway and dump the shell yourself, right? Wrong! This is illegal and can harm local oysters by spreading diseases.<\/strong><\/p>\n While we think we may know where and how to place these oyster shells in our creeks, it\u2019s best to leave that to the biologists. Recycle your shell at one of these SCDNR oyster shell recycling locations<\/a>. Biologists will quarantine your shell to prevent the spread of any diseases, and then the shell will be replanted on our shorelines to ensure the maximum benefit not only for our future oysters but for our shorelines as well. We encourage all oyster eating enthusiasts, oyster roasters, and restaurants to recycle their shell, so we can\u00a0continue to enjoy this Lowcountry resource for future generations.<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n Be an informed consumer by asking your local restaurant if they recycle their oyster shells\u2014applauding them if they do and encouraging them to do so if they don\u2019t. You can also view a current list of participating restaurants here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Add your name to the list if you are interested in receiving the Conservation League\u2019s communications related to marine resources.<\/a><\/p>\n Oyster shells sell for top dollar as biologists scramble to protect shellfish beds<\/a>\u00a0(The State, August 2022)<\/p>\n Eat oysters responsibly <\/a>(Charleston Grit, November 2021)<\/p>\n South Carolinians aren\u2019t recycling oysters and only 1 restaurant in Myrtle Beach is \u2014 Here\u2019s how much it\u2019s costing the state <\/a>(WBTW News 13, October 2021)<\/p>\n SC officials urge recycling of oyster shells as shellfish season gets underway <\/a>(Post and Courier, September 2021)<\/p>\nHarvesting Your Own Oysters – Best Practices<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
Doing your part – Recycling Your Oyster Shell<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What if I prefer to eat my oysters at a restaurant?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Getting involved<\/h2>\n
Media<\/h2>\n