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Resilient Oyster Reefs Breathe New Life into Virginia’s Elizabeth River

Did you know one adult oyster can filter 50 gallons of water every day? Unfortunately, due to overfishing and pollution only about 1-2% of the Chesapeake Bay’s historic oyster population remains today. To bolster resilience, NOAA and our co-trustees are working with the Elizabeth River Project to restore over 20 acres of oyster reefs in Virginia.

An oyster reef.
Last updated Tuesday, January 3, 2023 3:14pm PST