New York Oyster Restoration Meeting- Wave of Events Coming

New York Oyster Restoration Meeting

A Mass Oyster Project (MOP) representative was recently a guest at the meeting of New York's Oyster Restoration and Recovery Partnership hosted by the Baykeepers Organization. It was impressive and inspiring. Why? 

First, there were over 40 people in the room working together to discuss issues around oyster restoration and to foster projects. They represented over a dozen organizations including the EPA the New York State's department of marine fisheries, shell fishermen, the Hudson River Foundation and on and on. They had been successful at bringing together the large coalition. It can be done and MOP will be working in this direction as well. 

Second, we saw that many of the activities we were doing, they were as well. In addition to restoration they were working on shell recycling. they were a bit ahead of us in terms of oyster gardening and their restoration methods. New York also has an  upweller to raise oysters at a school on Governor's Island, which is a great educational tool. They also faced challenges with oysters getting washed away at some sites, but our biggest challenge- predation seemed to be of lesser concern for them. (This is a topic for further investigation.)

Third, while MOP is not as large, we have built a significant experience base and are not far behind. We incorporated our learnings in our most recent proposal to the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries who provides our permit.This was submitted last week.

Wave of Events

As promised we are getting the ball rolling with Spring.  Here are some fun things that you can do in the next few weeks. 

- March 10, 2012 - Oyster Shucking Lessons

For the second time, MOP has teamed up with Keri and Liz of Mercato del Mare, a North End Fish Market, for oyster shucking lessons from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM.  Come learn how to shuck an oyster.  Once you have the basics down, you can shuck & eat oysters throughout the event.   Beer and sushi will also be provided. $45 per person.  Limit 20 people.  Advanced registration can be done through the online store on the MOP website.


- April 18, 2012 - MOP at Harpoon

Join us for a beer tasting at Harpoon Brewery.  MOP will be bringing plenty of oysters for $1.00 each.  We'll also have merchandise for sale and free drawings.  A $10 per person suggested donation to MOP is encourage.  Space is limited to 50.  You must pre-register for this event by emailing us at massoyster@gmail.com.  When you register, tell us how many oysters you and your friends might want to help us plan accordingly. 

- March 15, 2012-   MOP presents to the Duck Boat Drivers

We will be updating them on the extensive history of oysters in Boston/Cambridge, their important role in the environment as over 100 other species will live in an oyster reef, and our progress to date. (This is not open to the public.)

-May 6, 2012-  B&G Oyster Invitational

If you are an oyster lover, this event held at the Tremont Street restaurant in Boston's South End is for you. MOP collected oyster shell for recycling last year and will be active again in 2012. The B&G team captained by Barbara Lynch does it right.