Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Oysters: Sexy and recyclable

Oysters are a known aphrodisiac although I'm not sure how they attained this status. I personally have yet to see anyone look attractive eating raw mollusks but to each their own. Environmentalists aren't after the slimy innards either. They prefer the shell.

Oyster populations are depleting and coastal states have started sinking batches of empty oyster shells back into the water to grow new beds. Once the shells are in the water, they provide homes for many organisms, including oyster larvae. North Carolina is the front runner in oyster recycling with several oyster shell drop off sites and legislation making it illegal to throw them away.

Oysters not only make for pricey appetizers but they also filter up to fifty gallons of water a day, keeping waterways clean which is one reason why oyster beds are being encouraged outside of waste water treatment plants as far north as New York City. These particular critters won't end up on your plate, however.
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