OUR GOAL IS TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE VALUE OF OYSTERS.
What does that mean? It means building and maintaining value in oysters as...
1. A cornerstone species in ecosystems that are critically important to all life on Earth, including human life.
2. An incredibly important source of protein, the production of which is ecologically beneficial, especially in the fact that oyster farming enhances biodiversity in and around oyster farms.
3. A key player in clean water and healthy ecosystems that support other seafood production, coastal tourism, good paying jobs in rural areas and real estate values in coastal areas.
TOOLS & TACTICS
- Engage in and support meaningful oyster reef / shellfish restoration projects.
- Educate Children & Adults to create new stakeholders in healthy waters that support oysters and other species.
- Establish the foundation for responsible & sustainable alternatives to damaging fertilizers and pesticides.
- Establish the foundation for new opportunities for viable recreational & commercial fisheries.
- Mermmelier Certification™
IDENTIFY & SHARE BEST PRACTICES
Particularly for OYSTER RESTORATION and OYSTER SHELL RECYCLING, we aim to identify, centralize and share information for local and regional stakeholders looking to discover and implement BEST PRACTICES in the following areas:
- Marine Sciences
- Fundraising
- Grant Writing
- Educational Programming
- Community Outreach
- Equipment Choices
- Permitting
- Legal Issues
- Public Relations
OUR INTERNAL PROGRAMS
Local Oysters Unlimited™ Chapters will initiate and implement a handful of our own programs:
SHELL RECYCLING
We are currently seeking sponsors and volunteers to help us launch O.Y.S.T.E.R. (Offer Your Shell To Enhance Resources) Oyster Shell Recycling Programs in several markets including:
- Long Island, NY
- The Greater Tampa Bay Area
- Dade & Broward Counties - FL
WHY RECYCLE OYSTER SHELL?
- Reduce waste stream
- Preserve a material that is useful
- Use shell as substrate for oyster reef restoration projects
- Grind shell into powder to be used as a100% organic fertilizer; a great alternative to toxic, nitorgen rich, synthetic fertilizers that are killing our coastal oyster habitat.
- Use the program to educate consumers & stakeholders
- Provide Cause Related Marketing opportunity for partners and sponsors
OYSTER TRAILS
- Work with State, County & Municipal entities to establish where and how oysters play a role in the history, culture, cuisine, economy and ecology of a region.
- Present an Promote OysToursm & VolunTourism whereby consumers can visit working oyster farms and volunteer to work on oyster restoration projects.