“Before the 20th century, when people thought of New York, they thought of oysters. This is what New York was to the world - a great oceangoing port where people ate succulent local oysters from their harbor. Visitors looked forward to trying them. New Yorkers ate them constantly. They also sold them by the millions.”
- Mark Kurlansky
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Long Island and Oysters
The Lenape harvested oysters from as early as 8,000 years ago. Dutch and English colonists harvested the oysters from NY Harbor and the Great South Bay for most of the 18th an 19th Centuries.
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Overharvesting
Oysters, prior to the 19th Century, were harvested and by the millions. Legislation from 1715 promoting oyster conservation was overturned in 1807 allowing for continuous harvesting throughout the year. This prevented population recovery.
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Poor Water Quality
Surface water, groundwater, and sewage overflow systems initially contributed, and continue to do so today, to poor water quality.
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Disease
Poor water quality contributed to oyster health issues allowing them to become more susceptible to disease. A changing climate, increased water temperatures and variable salinities, also contribute to a decline in oyster health promoting disease.
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Predation
Changes in water circulation and salinities have allowed for the Oyster Drill to thrive in Long Island waters. Oyster Drills can decimate an oyster reef quickly. Predators like crabs and fish will always be present on oyster reefs, but they do contribute.
