Will Oil Destroy America's Oyster Population?

For all you shellfish eaters who enjoy a heaping plate of oysters Rockefeller, oysters on the half-shell, or my personal favorite, the oyster shooter, listen up: The Gulf Coast's oyster reefs haven't been hit by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill--yet. However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns that slicks could reach oyster beds within the next couple of days.

This dismal news certainly begs the question of what this all means for raw bar lovers. Unfortunately the answer is we just don't know yet. Let's look at the facts: Oyster reefs form a foundation for marine life all along the Gulf Coast, similar to the role corals play in the Caribbean Sea. Oysters nestled together form a system of reefs, which provide food and shelter for undersea species, prevent coastal erosion, and support shrimp, fish, crabs and other shellfish. Damaging oyster beds could spell disastrous results for the rest of Gulf Coast marine life because oysters play such a vital role in the local ecosystem.

Plus, globally oysters have been hit hard in recent years: Oyster populations around the world declined by about 85 percent in the past few decades. The Gulf Coast, however, has about half of its oyster reefs intact. Mike Beck, a senior marine scientist with the Nature Conservancy, told Reuters that this makes the area the world's "last, best" chance to maintain a healthy oyster population. Add to the situation that this is the bivalve's spawning season and it really seems like Gulf Coast oysters are in hot water.

But luckily, oysters have a handy trick up their shells. Oysters (and all bivalves, for the matter) are filter feeders: As water passes through them, the creatures suck the nutrients and pollutants out of the liquid, releasing purified water. While this is helpful for cleansing water of its impurities, oysters are also great at getting rid of their own gunk. Through a process called depuration, oysters can actually clean their own tissue. Thomas Soniat, a biologist with the University of New Orleans, told Mother Jones that oysters exposed to oil may be able to get rid of the toxin (and therefore, be safe for human consumption) in as little as two weeks after exposure ends.

Still, given the fragile nature of the world's oyster populations and the huge role Gulf Coast oysters play in the local ecosystem, it's important for wildlife managers to take every precaution. Right now, fish and wildlife agencies are cordoning off some of the most sensitive areas with containment booms, and they should batten down the hatches further before oil slicks arrive. Or rather, BP should really be the one taking precautions to prevent damage to oysters, but we won't hold our breath on that one...

Photo: Daniel Schwen via Wikimedia Commons