Billion Oyster Project: Why New York Is Growing Oysters Now

The original oyster population was almost extinct by the early 20th century due to overfishing, industrial pollution and sewage. New York’s waters were too toxic to marine life. That only changed with the Clean Water Act in 1972, which banned the discharge of untreated sewage and waste.

“Little did I know it was in New York City Oysters gave, “said the 22-year-old
Emma Latham. The freshly minted ecology graduate of Princeton University helps as Volunteers with the reintroduction of the mussels. “The impact of all the people and the amount of concrete on such a small piece of land is so terrible that even the smallest project is worth it to improve the situation,” she says.

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