Biologists say Oysters Vanishing From Oceans


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Oysters are "functionally extinct" in many locations around the globe due to disease and overharvesting, a new study has found.

The wide-ranging survey, published in BioScience, the journal of the American Institute of Biological Sciences, compares the past and present condition of oyster reefs around the globe. The international team of researchers led by Michael Beck of the Nature Conservancy and the University of California found that more than 90 percent of former reefs have been lost in most of the "bays" and ecoregions where the prized mollusks were formerly abundant.

In many places, such as the Wadden Sea in Europe and Narragansett Bay, oysters are rated "functionally extinct," with fewer than 1 percent of former reefs persisting. The declines are in most cases a result of over-harvesting of wild populations and disease, often exacerbated by the introduction of non-native species.

"Overall, we estimate that 85% of oyster reefs have been lost globally," the study says. "Most of the world’s remaining wild capture of native oysters comes from just five ecoregions in North America, yet the condition of reefs in these ecoregions is poor at best, except in the Gulf of Mexico."

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Mmmmmm oyster :whistle:

Actually I don't like sea food. But when Cows go extinct, I'll be right on the list of the contributors :blush:

Shame though, humans are naturally greedy. If they weren't maybe we'd have less endangered species and environmental damage.

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Oysters are gross. Leave them in the ocean.

Pretty much this otherwise let thos who like them eat them till they're gone and wont be missed lol.

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