The North Carolina Coastal Federation released its newaction plan “the North Carolina Oyster Blueprint 2021-2025”.
Wild oyster populations have declined in recent decades as a result of over-harvesting and pollution. The North Carolina Oyster Blueprint plan spells out specific steps to help restore the wild oysters.
At this time there is not a known stock count forNC’s wild oyster population, however, the Division of Marine Fisheries considers the species at risk to overfishing.
The report identifies eight strategies for improving oyster populations in NC. Previous versions of the plan have been helpful in documenting the economic impact of the oyster industry and was used in formulating oyster-related funding programs.
The eight recommendations in the North Carolina Oyster Blueprint include protecting and restoring the water quality in waters where shellfish grow; establishing sufficient acreage in order to protect oyster reefs and to supplement the wild oyster stock; expanding the use of living shorelines; implementing a coordinated oyster shell recycling program; managinge natural oyster habitats in public trust areas; the use of clutch planting to replenish oyster habitats for commercial use; building a $45 million shellfish aquaculture industry; communicating the blueprint strategies to stakeholders and the public.
One-third of the state’s coastal waters are permanently closed to shellfish harvest due to pollution and a lack of monitoring capacity, according to the report. “In our prime shellfish growing waters, it’s imperative that the volume and rate of runoff resemble levels that occurred naturally before land use changes occurred,” the report states.
Local residents can help support the blueprint by recycling oyster shells to be used in oyster restoration efforts, visiting an oyster trail site to support businesses that promote oysters, and volunteering with groups like the NC Coastal Federation.
