Olympia Oyster Restoration Project

The Olympia Oyster Restoration Project aimed to restore the threatened Olympia oysters, which had nearly gone extinct due to over-harvesting, sediment loads, and pollution. The project team 1) identified appropriate habitats for oyster restoration, 2) modified substrate for growing oysters by adding old oyster shells, 3) propagated and seed oyster spat, and 4) monitored results. Since 1999, it has brought together more than 100 partners from the seafood industry, Indian tribes, state agencies, the U.S. Navy, local environmental organizations, schools, and property owners. Approximately 5 million oysters have been planted at 80 experimental sites throughout Puget Sound.