Oysters Oysters were once the main organism harvested from the bay.

Oysters Millions of pounds were harvested every year.

Oysters As recently as 100 years ago oyster reefs were so massive that they posed a navigational hazard to ships.

Oysters Today, there is about one percent of the original oyster population in the bay.

Oysters Oysters are filter feeders that perform several vital functions in the Bays ecosystem.

Oysters Healthy oysters consume algae and other nutrients in the water. An oyster can filter up to five liters of water a day.

Oysters Oyster reefs provide solid structure for sessile organisms to attach.

Oysters The reef provides homes and hiding places for organisms like worms and crabs.

Oysters Reefs stabilize bottom sediments for benthic organisms and aquatic plants.

Oysters Oyster reefs are so important that many areas are rebuilding them.

Oysters Oysters will spawn as the water warms in the spring. Oysters spawn as males the first year.

Oysters As oyster get older and build up their energy reserves, they spawn as females and release eggs.

Oysters Fertilized eggs develop into larva which will eventually settle and cement themselves to the bottom.

Oysters At this young stage, they are known as spats. Oysters often attach to other oysters.