The winter holidays are the perfect time to enjoy North Carolina oysters. This season is all about connection, celebration, and great food, and nothing brings people together like fresh local oysters. Whether you’re planning a feast, a seasonal outing, or a special gift, the NC Oyster Trail has something for everyone.

Find Fresh Oysters for Your Holiday Table 

Herring Shoal Shellfish Co.

Fresh North Carolina oysters are never far away. The NC Oyster Trail features almost 40 seafood markets or oyster delivery options statewide. Here are a few highlights:

Herring Shoal Shellfish Co.  – Oyster Delivery from Nags Head, NC

Herring Shoal’s oysters have a unique sweet, grassy finish thanks to the thriving native seagrass surrounding their farm. Text 252-305-5672 or send them a message on Instagram to reserve these showstopping oysters!

Buddy’s Seafood Market – Seafood Market in Mooresville, NC

Buddy’s celebrates North Carolina’s oyster heritage with an exceptional variety, including Stump Sound Oysters, Pamlico Pearls, Carolina Golds, and more! 

Washington Crab – Seafood Market & Oyster Delivery from Washington, NC

Serving fresh North Carolina seafood since 1972, Washington Crab supplies fresh oysters through next-day delivery and in-person shopping at their retail location in Washington and several farmers’ markets in the Triangle.

Seaview Crab Co. – Seafood Market at multiple locations in southeastern NC

Open seven days a week, Seaview Crab Co. offers cultured and wild oysters and encourages customers to sample varieties to find the perfect fit for their occasion. Locations include Cameron, Belville, Sanford, and multiple spots in Wilmington. 

Gift Unforgettable Coastal Adventures & Treasures

NC Aquarium at Roanoke Island

The NC Oyster Trail isn’t just about food – discover tours, experiences, and gifts that capture the unique allure of coastal North Carolina. Did you know we have over 20 shellfish farm tours and interactive oyster education activities? Consider purchasing a gift card or tour for friends & family!

Science by the Sea – Beaufort, NC

This educator-led company provides private boat tours through the Rachel Carson Reserve. You’ll observe estuarine wildlife (including oysters!) and learn about research and conservation within the Reserve.

NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island – Manteo, NC

Home to over 2,200 animals including sharks, sea turtles, otters, and more, the Aquarium is dedicated to inspiring appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments.  Don’t miss their newest exhibit, “Fish, Filter, Food: The Human-Oyster Connection.”

Coastal Eco Adventures – Wrightsville Beach, NC

Partnering with working watermen and women, these tours explore oyster farms and diverse marine habitats. Try catch-and-release crabbing or pull a seine net if tides allow.

Good Time Charlie’s Fisheries – Engelhard, NC

Join a lifelong commercial fisherman for an immersive oyster harvesting experience surrounded by breathtaking wildlife and remote coastal scenery.

Empty Nest Studio

Oyster Jewelry from Empty Nest Studio – Frisco, NC

Empty Nest Studio crafts one-of-a-kind jewelry using indigenous shells collected along the Outer Banks, then cast in silver, copper, or bronze, and finished with gemstones and pearls to reflect the natural beauty of Hatteras Island.

Get Inspired with a New Oyster Recipe

Oysters Rockefeller – NC Sea Grant

Looking for festive oyster dishes? NC Sea Grant offers a full collection of easy-to-follow recipes featuring local seafood. Some favorites include:

Oysters Rockefeller

Cornbread-Oyster Stuffing

Thai-inspired Oyster Cakes

Caribbean-Inspired Oyster Salad

North Carolina oysters shine on their own, but if you’d like to elevate them even further, here are 5 easy sauces to pair with your oysters this season. They range from the classic cocktail sauce to a decadent jalapeno remoulade.

Give Back: Recycle Shells & Restore Wild Reefs 

If oysters are part of your holiday celebrations, remember to recycle your shells! Shell recycling is crucial to rebuilding wild oyster reefs by giving juvenile oysters (spat) a place to settle and grow. Eating more oysters = restoring more reefs. It’s a win-win!

Drop-off shell recycling is available at the NC Coastal Federation’s three regional offices in Wilmington, Wanchese, and Newport. Use their interactive map to find the closest shell recycling location near you.

Thank you for supporting North Carolina seafood, coastal education, and our working waterfront communities. We wish you a happy, healthy, and oyster-filled holiday season!

Learn More at NCOysterTrail.org 

Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

The NC Oyster Trail is administered by:

The post Your Holiday Gift Guide Courtesy of the NC Oyster Trail appeared first on NC Oyster Trail.

Locals Seafood at Durham Food Hall is participating in NC Oyster Month. They are selling 1/2 off roasted oysters on Mondays and $2 shucked raw oysters on Wednesdays all through October.
Credit: Justin Kase Conder © 2024 Justin Kase Conder Usage with express permission only.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jane Harrison, jane_harrison@ncsu.edu, 919-513-0122

Get ready to “shellebrate” as North Carolina Oyster Month returns this October for its third anniversary, bringing a variety of fun and flavorful events across the state. From oyster farm tours to seafood festivals, there’s no shortage of ways to savor local oysters while supporting coastal conservation.

It’s time to raise a shell—NC Oyster Month is back! Throughout October, communities across North Carolina will celebrate our favorite bivalves with oyster roasts, seafood festivals, chef specials, farm tours, and more. Whether you like them raw, roasted, or fried, there’s no better time to enjoy N.C. oysters while learning about their role in our coastal culture.

North Carolina Sea Grant’s coastal economist specialist Jane Harrison says, “My favorite events are hosted by restaurants featured on the NC Oyster Trail. For example St. Roch’s Fine Oysters Bar is hosting a special N.C. oyster dinner on Wednesday, September 15th. All diners will receive shellfish swag to take home in addition to happy bellies.”

But NC Oyster Month is about more than just what’s on the plate. Every oyster tells a bigger story—one of healthy waters, working waterfronts, and traditions that connect generations. Wild oysters protect our shorelines and provide homes for marine life, while farmed oysters support local businesses and bring fresh, distinct flavors to tables across the state. Together, they sustain our coast both ecologically and economically.

“Some of my favorite educational NC Oyster Month activities are the North Carolina Seafood Festival in Morehead City on October 4 and 5, Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Festival on October 11, and the Outer Banks Seafood Festival on October 18,” suggests Harrison.

This statewide celebration is organized by North Carolina Sea Grant, the North Carolina Coastal Federation, and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, in partnership with the NC Oyster Trail. With events stretching from the coast to the Triangle, NC Oyster Month is your chance to discover how oysters enrich our environment, our communities, and our cuisine.

For more information on North Carolina Oyster Month 2025 and to explore the NC Oyster Trail, visit ncoystertrail.org. You can also read stories about oyster conservation and the people behind the industry in North Carolina Sea Grant’s Coastwatch magazine.

NC Oyster Month Events

North Carolina Seafood Festival
Oct. 3-5 | Morehead City

Celebrate the bounty of our coast at the North Carolina Seafood Festival in downtown Morehead City. Enjoy local seafood, entertainment, and activities that highlight North Carolina’s working waterfronts and fishing heritage. Visit the NC Oyster Trail educational booth in the chef’s tent where cooking demonstrations take place every hour.

A Gilded Oyster Celebration
Oct. 4 | 10am–6pm | Empty Nest Studio & Gallery, Frisco

Celebrate the Harvest Moon with oysters, bubbly, and local art at Empty Nest Studio & Gallery. Enjoy a unique oyster jewelry sale alongside refreshments as the gallery welcomes the fall season.

2nd Annual Oyster Roast for the Coast
Oct. 4 | 5-8pm | Surf City Brewing Company, Hampstead

Celebrate conservation of The Point—now the South Topsail Preserve—at this community gathering hosted by Conserve The Point–Topsail. Enjoy local oysters, Surf City Brewing craft beer, live music from Doug McFarland, and a photography showcase by Gavin Stanton Shwala. The traveling Oyster Photo Exhibit will also be on display, sharing stories of North Carolina’s oyster heritage and industry. Tickets are $50, with proceeds supporting conservation and education programs. Register by Sept. 26.

Growing the Future of Shellfish

Oct. 4 | 10am-2pm | UNCW Center for Marine Science, Wilmington

The UNCW Center for Marine Science invites the public to tour their facilities each fall at their open house. Discover how research at UNCW’s shellfish research hatchery helps to grow NC’s shellfish aquaculture industry. You will learn about the Eastern oyster’s life cycle, selective breeding of shellfish, microalgal culture, and how to avoid death and disease in cultivation. Super educational!

Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Festival
Oct. 11 | 10am–7pm | Ocracoke Community Square Docks, Ocracoke Island

Celebrate Ocracoke’s maritime heritage at the Working Watermen’s Festival. This community gathering features working watermen’s displays, local decoy carvers, N.C. oyster farmers shucking and roasting oysters, guest chef Walker Sullivan cooking seafood, and live music. Hosted by the Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Association, the festival highlights the island’s fishing traditions and community spirit.

24th Annual Oink & Oyster Roast
Oct. 11 | 12–4pm | Pigman’s Bar-B-Que, Kill Devil Hills
Join the Rotary Clubs of the Outer Banks for the 24th Annual Oink & Oyster Roast. Feast on all-you-can-eat Pigman’s Bar-B-Que smoked pork, roasted oysters, sides, and all the fixings, plus one drink ticket.

AYCE Oyster Roast & Craft Beer at Shuckin’ Shack
Oct. 12 | 12-3pm | Shuckin’ Shack, Surf City

Join Shuckin’ Shack for an all-you-can-eat oyster roast paired with three tokens for local craft beers (21+). Tickets are $75, sold in advance only—call 910-803-2037 and ask for Carin. Live island music by Ike Kanakanui from Key West will fill the tented parking lot. Rain or shine, no refunds—bring a chair and settle in!

New River Roundtable: Oyster Highway Update
Oct. 15 | 2–4pm | Sturgeon City Environmental Education Center, Jacksonville

Join the New River Roundtable and the City of Jacksonville for an Oyster Highway update. Learn about the latest reef projects through mock-up exhibits, maps, and photos. This event offers a closer look at ongoing efforts to restore and protect local oyster habitat.

Special Oyster Dinner at St. Roch
Oct. 15 | 5-9pm | St. Roch Fine Oysters Bar, Raleigh

To kick off the start of wild oyster season, St. Roch will host a special oyster dinner highlighting North Carolina oysters. The NC Oyster Trail will be on site with shellfish swag and facts. You can make a reservation at resy.com starting on Sept. 30. St. Roch has been named one of the best oysters bars in the country by Esquire magazine and Tasting Table. Book your reservations as soon as you can!

Outer Banks Seafood Festival
Oct. 18 | Nags Head

Celebrate coastal traditions and seafood heritage at the Outer Banks Seafood Festival. The NC Oyster Trail will have an informational booth in the Education Tent. Stop by for some shellfish swag!

Shuck & Shag
Oct. 18 | 6:30-10:30PM | Sunny Side Oyster Bar, Williamston

Sunny Side Oyster Bar will host a Shuck & Shag–dance to music by a local DJ and enjoy great food, friendships, and fun! This is a smaller event leading up to their annual Shuck & Shag on February 7th. Please save the date and look for updates on their Facebook Page. No admission.

NC Oyster Festival
Oct. 18-19 | Ocean Isle Beach

Join us for the 44th Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival, a coastal tradition since 1978! Home to the only sanctioned oyster shucking contest in the state, the festival has proudly sent many talented shuckers on to national competitions. There will also be an oyster eating and stew contest. Not to miss!

Oysterberfest
Oct. 26 | 12-6pm | Wrightsville Beach Brewery, Wrightsville Beach

Celebrate the beginning of wild oyster season with your favorite local brews! Wrightsville Beach Brewery hosts this annual oyster roast featuring N.C. wild and farmed oysters. Music will be provided by Back Pocket Buddha and Birdwell Beat.

Violet Hour Oyster Tour Giveaway via Hold Fast Oyster Co.
Oct. 1–31 | Online
Win a free Violet Hour oyster farm tour on a boat for you and up to six guests! To enter, follow Hold Fast Oyster Co.’s on Instagram (@holdfastoysterco) and tag your friends in the comments of any post—the more people you tag, the more entries you earn. Giveaway runs all October, with a winner announced by mid-November. Hold Fast Oyster Co.’s farm tour leaves from Sneads Ferry Monday–Friday from 4–5:30 PM – an unforgettable coastal experience.

Locals Seafood Oyster Specials
Mondays & Wednesdays | Locals Seafood, Durham Food Hall

Head to Locals Seafood for weekly oyster specials highlighting the best of North Carolina’s coast. On Mondays, enjoy ½ off roasted N.C. oysters, and on Wednesdays, savor raw N.C. oysters for just $2 each. Fresh, local, and delicious!

Elijah’s Oyster Flights
All October | Elijah’s Oyster & Fish Camp, Wilmington

Celebrate Oyster Month at Elijah’s with rotating flights of local oysters from North Carolina’s top farms, including Ghost Fleet, Crystal Coast, Holdfast, Middle Sound, Three Little Spats, Little Star, Morris Family, Falling Tide, Seaview Crab Co., and Seaside Oyster Company. Enjoy a flight of 6 oysters for $18 or 12 for $36. With selections changing based on availability, there’s always a local option waiting to be discovered.

Stubborn Mule Oyster Month Celebration

Date TBD (likely 2nd weekend of October) | Stubborn Mule Oyster Bar & Grill, Washington

Join the Stubborn Mule for a big Oyster Month celebration with live music, farm-raised oysters, and a chance to meet farmer Chad Caraway of Caraway Oyster Company—grower of Half Naked Pirates oysters from Topsail Beach. This pro-NC seafood event will feature oysters from across the coast in a lively community gathering.

Seabird Oyster Happy Hour
Mondays | 5–6pm | Seabird Restaurant, Wilmington

Start your week with $1 N.C. oysters at Seabird’s Monday Happy Hour. Featuring Seabirdies, farmed exclusively for Seabird by Holdfast Oyster Co., these oysters are freshly shucked and served at the bar. A weekly tradition celebrating North Carolina’s oyster heritage.

NC Oyster Happy Hour
Monday-Thursdays | 4-7pm | Shuckin’ Shack, Wilmington

Don’t miss this great deal! Local N.C. oysters: $1.25 raw or $1.75 chargrilled. Why not order $1.50 wings while you’re at it?

$1.50 Oysters Every Sunday
Every Sunday in October | Coquina Fishbar, Wilmington

Sundays are made for oysters at Coquina Fishbar! Enjoy N.C. oysters for just $1.50 each—available by the half or whole dozen—all day long.

Coquina’s Oyster of the Week
Weekly in October | Coquina Fishbar, Wilmington
All October long, Coquina Fishbar is serving a new chef-created oyster special each week. Stop by to experience innovative preparations that highlight the versatility of N.C. oysters.

Oysterpalooza

Nov. 1 | Ocean Fest, Surf City

Ocean Fest is where live music, art, and surf culture meet to unite to benefit Mother Earth. Oysterpalooza at Ocean Fest is an annual ticketed charity event with top regional music talents, the best local oyster purveyors, beer & wine, food trucks, and more. There are only 750 tickets up for grabs, so be sure to secure yours soon!

1st Annual NC Oyster & Seafood Celebration

Nov. 4-5 | Seabird Restaurant, Wilmington

Local seafood advocate & chef Dean Neff hosts Seabird’s 1st annual NC oyster & seafood celebration. Learn from the best – meet oyster sommelier Julie Qiu, as well as oyster farmers and foragers. The event will show off the state’s incredible cultivated and wild oysters. Reservations live via OpenTable September 29^th!

• Categories:
  • Aquaculture
  • Coastal Communities
  • Ecosystems
  • Fisheries
  • Seafood
• Tags:
  • National Sea Grant
  • NC Sea Grant
  • nc seafood
  • oyster trail

The post NC Oyster Month “Shellebrates” Its 3rd Anniversary This October appeared first on NC Oyster Trail.

Rotating harvests and replenishing shells help oyster reefs recover.

In May, the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission updated the state’s management plan for Eastern oysters, introducing openings for mechanical oyster harvest on a rotating basis on 10-acre “cultch” planting sites, as well as creating Deep-Water Oyster Recovery Areas that are closed to mechanical harvest. Cultch planting sites are carefully selected locations where materials like crushed oyster shells, limestone, or concrete give oyster larvae a hard surface on which to attach and grow, forming new reefs.

Recent research shows that rotation and reef enhancement can improve oyster populations, while still supporting fishing.

Research Need

Oysters in the Chesapeake Bay remain below their historic levels. The combination of disease, overharvesting, water pollution, and habitat loss led to record low harvest levels by the early 2000’s. 

Efforts to restore oyster populations traditionally included construction of “no-take” sanctuaries, restoring reef habitat by adding shell or rock, and rearing and planting juvenile oysters in hatcheries. More recently, fishery managers use an oyster harvest rotation strategy, in which public fishing grounds are open to harvest and then closed for a few years before reopening. 

Scientists have had a poor understanding of the comparative impact of these conservation practices on oyster populations, particularly on harvested reefs. 

What Did They Study?

Researchers studied oyster reefs in the Rappahannock River, Virginia. Since 2007, six harvest areas have been managed on a three-year rotation. In addition, since 2000, many reefs have received regular shell plantings, and some reefs also were closed permanently as sanctuaries. Combined with data from 20 years of biological monitoring, these reefs therefore served as a good case study to compare the outcomes of different fishery management approaches.

The research team combined surveys of reefs, harvest reports from watermen, and records of shell planting. They asked how rotation, replenishment, and sanctuary status affected reef condition, oyster numbers, and whether harvesters were able to meet their daily bushel limits.

What Did They Find?

Three-year rotations gave oysters time to grow and reefs time to recover. By the time areas reopened, reefs had more market-sized oysters, averaging about 5,000 additional oysters per acre.

Adding shell helped keep reefs stable and created space for new oysters to settle. Even modest plantings of about 1,000 bushels per acre showed clear benefits. Reefs in poor condition saw the biggest gains, and harvesters in those areas were more likely to reach their limits.

Sanctuary reefs held more large oysters, but harvest and sanctuary reefs had similar levels of young oysters and shell cover. This shows that combining rotation with shell planting can help keep reefs healthy, while still allowing harvests.

So what?

Results suggest that current management practices are successfully maintaining the underlying reef structure. Reef conditions have improved over time in the Rappahannock River, with stronger shell bases and more oysters — especially since 2018 with rotation and replenishments. 

Sanctuaries remain important for protecting large spawning oysters, but rotational harvest with regular shell planting can also deliver clear benefits on public grounds.

Reading

Marquardt, A. R., Southworth, M., Scheld, A. M., Button, A., & Mann, R. (2025). Oyster reef recovery: Impacts of rotational management and restoration efforts on public fishing grounds. Journal of Environmental Management, 375, 124179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124179

This work was supported by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission Fisheries Improvement Fund (grant #CF 23-04) and a Virginia Sea Grant Graduate Research Fellowship.

Lead photo credit: Patrick Bloodgood/U.S. Army.

The text from Hook, Line & Science is available to reprint and republish at no cost, but only in its entirety and with this attribution: Hook, Line & Science, courtesy of Scott Baker and Sara Mirabilio, North Carolina Sea Grant.

Categories: conservation
 Fisheries Management

The post What strategies help revive public oyster grounds? appeared first on NC Oyster Trail.

Ryan Bethea of Oysters Carolina empties a bag full of tasty oysters from his farm. Photo credit: Justin Kase Conder

The North Carolina Oyster Trail offers unique and tasty adventures that allow N.C. visitors and residents alike to become more shellfish-literate. The Trail includes tours of working shellfish farms, seafood restaurants, markets serving local oysters year-round, and ample educational opportunities. With 90 sites to visit across the state, there is something for everyone to explore.

Do you know where your seafood comes from? Hop on a boat and learn how we grow oysters in North Carolina. Smell that salt breeze while you slurp down some of the most sustainable seafood on the planet.

Are you a fan of local foods? Taste our homegrown oyster rainbow—salty, sweet, and buttery shellfish. You can purchase our state’s oysters at a variety of markets and restaurants on the coast and inland, all featured on the NC Oyster Trail.

Did you know NC oysters are available all year long? Wild oyster season starts annually on October 15, but farmed oysters make it possible to enjoy them year-round. Get educated on how you can support a healthy coast and bountiful seafood for years to come.

Jane Harrison of North Carolina Sea Grant shows off pristine estuarine habitat for oysters on Harkers Island, North Carolina. Photo credit: Justin Kase Conder

The NC Oyster Trail organizes NC Oyster Month in October, putting on an event almost every day of the month to “shellebrate” oysters. This year, those events are being supplemented with an educational oyster photo exhibit supported by the eeBLUE Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants Program. The exhibit showcases the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of oysters and the people who help sustain this vital coastal resource.

This dynamic photo exhibit includes seven 3×3 ft displays, each highlighting a different aspect of North Carolina’s oyster story, from restoring coastal ecosystems to supporting local businesses. These beautiful and informative panels feature farmers, scientists, harvesters, and entrepreneurs who are helping oysters thrive.

An example of a featured topic in the exhibit is oysters’ contribution to a healthy ecosystem. A photo of a living shoreline on Harkers Island, NC, depicts the essential ecosystem services provided by oysters. Shellfish, such as oysters, improve water quality by filtering nutrients, provide habitat for 300+ species of finfish and crustaceans, and serve as a food source for marine organisms and humans.

Algae culture is critical to growing many marine species, including oysters. Photo credit: Jane Harrison

Another key takeaway from the exhibit is that 50% of NC oyster production comes from aquaculture. North Carolina has more than 300 oyster farms. Aquaculture produces oysters without depleting wild stocks. Oyster farmers often use floating cages or bags to grow out oyster seed.

Beyond the exhibit, the eeBLUE grant supported two workshops that introduced mariculture lesson plans to high school teachers and nonformal science educators. The lesson plans were designed to align with NC science standards and the state’s Career and Technical Education programs. The 10 lesson plans cover a variety of subjects, launching student explorations of aquaculture species and biology, production methods, and even business planning.

A total of 17 educators were trained to use the mariculture lesson plans and led through facilitated exercises to modify the plans to suit their specific needs. For example, an aquarium educator tailored a lesson plan to focus on marine ornamentals aquaculture.

An outdoor aquaculture laboratory at Carteret Community College was the perfect spot for the mariculture education workshop. Photo credit: Jane Harrison

Workshop evaluations showed that knowledge of marine aquaculture increased across all topics covered. Educators shared their interest in teaching aquaculture concepts, remarking, “I want to teach the public about sustainable practices,” and “I want to speak confidently about local aquaculture and how it improves water quality and the economy.” They especially enjoyed a hands-on tour of Carteret Community College’s aquaculture laboratory. The teachers’ excitement as they encountered cultivated sea urchins, algae, tropical fish, and other marine organisms will inspire them to bring lessons learned back to their classrooms.

Educators learn about marine aquaculture from North Carolina Sea Grant’s aquaculture specialist Eric Herbst. Photo credit: Jane Harrison

Teachers worked together to modify lesson plans for their classrooms. Photo credit: Jane Harrison

The NC Oyster Trail is a combined effort of NC Sea Grant, NC Coastal Federation, and the NC Shellfish Growers Association.

The NC Oyster Trail is a combined effort of NC Sea Grant, NC Coastal Federation, and the NC Shellfish Growers Association.

Follow on Social Media!

Instagram @NC_OysterTrail
Facebook North Carolina Oyster Trail
Instagram @ncseagrant
Facebook NC Sea Grant

“With the eeBLUE Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grant program, NAAEE is driving significant change for a second time! We are supporting partnerships with the common goal of aquaculture literacy set by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Education, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the National Sea Grant Office. The nine mini-grants awarded will provide more than just financial support; they catalyze innovative educational experiences focused on aquaculture topics and promote public aquaculture literacy in eight states. These grants empower nonformal learning institutions (like aquariums), the aquaculture industry (such as shellfish, finfish, and seaweed farmers), and NOAA partners to make a tangible impact on our understanding of aquaculture. From “Agriculture in Aquaculture” to “Empowering Ocean Stewards,” these grantees are helping to support a blue planet!”

The post Shellebrating Education on the North Carolina Oyster Trail appeared first on NC Oyster Trail.

Public Invited to Enjoy Special Activities to Learn About the Importance of Oysters and Preview the Aquarium’s Newest Exhibit, “Fish, Filter, Food: The Human-Oyster Connection”

Caption: “Fish, Filter, Food: The Human-Oyster Connection” is the newest exhibit under construction at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Click here to download a high-resolution version of this image.
Photo Courtesy of the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

MANTEO, N.C. – On Tuesday, Aug. 5, the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island is celebrating National Oyster Day and the “Human-Oyster Connection.” Oysters are important animals that are connected to humans in surprising ways and have been a part of our shared culture for thousands of years. Visitors are invited to the Aquarium Aug. 5 to learn about oysters, the significance of oysters in American culture, and the positive impact oysters have on the health of coastal habitats and communities. The Aquarium is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 5 the Aquarium will host special activities that highlight the importance of oysters in culture, cuisine, and ecosystems throughout history. Discover these fascinating connections with the Aquarium with oyster-themed activities, games, crafts, and information sessions with Aquarium partners, N.C. Coastal Federation and N.C. Sea Grant. Visitors can journey through oyster history and complete an “Oysters Through the Ages” Scavenger Hunt. Special activities for National Oyster Day are included with regular Aquarium admission.

In discussing the importance of oysters, Larry Warner, director of the Aquarium, said, “Oysters, through their unique filtration abilities, are essential to the health of our coastal ecosystems. But equally, they are an important economic driver for our state as a food source. The Aquarium is committed to telling all sides of the story around these amazing creatures.”

The Aquarium is entering the final construction stages of its newest exhibit, “Fish, Filter, Food: The Human-Oyster Connection,” scheduled to be complete in September. More than six years in the making, this exhibit has been made possible through generous support and funding from the N.C. Aquarium Society, the N.C. Coastal Federation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. When complete, the exhibit will showcase all aspects of oysters, including the life cycle of oysters, oyster reef construction, mariculture, and coastal oyster farmers who provide oysters for the restaurant industry.

Caption: Images from the Aquarium’s exhibit, “Fish, Filter, Food: The Human-Oyster Connection” highlight the role of oysters in the ecosystem and the history of a shared culture.

Click here and here to download high-resolution versions of these images.
Photos Courtesy of the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

In addition to oyster-themed activities on Aug. 5, the Aquarium will be offering regularly scheduled programming, including behind-the-scenes experiences, outdoor programs, and Shipwreck Stories at the Aquarium’s 285,000-gallon shark habitat. A daily calendar of events is available on the Aquarium website. Founded in 1976, the Aquarium is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.

National Oyster Day
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island

About the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Located on the Outer Banks in Manteo, N.C., the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island is part of N.C. Aquariums, which includes four attractions along North Carolina’s coast and is a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The 63,000 square-foot facility on 16 acres overlooks the Croatan Sound and houses over 2,200 animals. Over 319,000 guests visit the Aquarium each year to see the 285,000-gallon “Graveyard of the Atlantic” shark and ocean habitat, visit the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (S.T.A.R.) Center, and learn why North Carolina’s waterways are so special. As an educational attraction, the mission of N.C. Aquariums is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. The Aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, visit www.ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island
374 Airport Rd., Manteo, NC 27954

www.ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island

The post Celebrate National Oyster Day with the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island on August 5 appeared first on NC Oyster Trail.

Four Acres Added to Popular Reef 

Building an artificial oyster reef in North Carolina’s Lower Cape Fear River raised questions when work began in 2017. Would it grow the oyster population? Would it survive hurricanes? That’s part of the reason the original reef only covered about one acre of the river bottom. Scientists wanted to see if the plan would work. 

Eight years later, those doubts have washed away. That’s why the North Carolina Coastal Federation and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) have added four additional acres to the existing oyster and recreational fishing inshore reef. The structure sits near the banks of Carolina Beach State Park. 

“This reef site is somewhat unique in its proximity to shore, making it readily accessible to shore-based anglers or kayakers,” Jordan Byrum, enhancement project manager for the DMF, told Coastal Review. “The materials placed at the site in 2017 have withstood several hurricanes and continue to support oyster populations and provide fishing opportunities during high tide. We expect this site will remain productive for anglers visiting Carolina Beach State Park,”  

What makes this reef special? 

Most artificial reef projects use concrete debris from construction or demolition sites to build the underwater structures. The concrete is hauled to the site on barges. Front loaders on the barges scoop up the concrete and dump it overboard. 

Because of its location in the Cape Fear River, this project is a bit different. The DMF used high-pressure water hoses attached to barges to dump 2,100 tons of recycled crushed concrete into the project area. Each concrete piece is about the size of a baseball, which allows a reef of varying sizes to be built. The highest points are only about one foot tall. 

The Cape Fear River used to be lined with extensive oyster reefs, but scientists say pollution, overfishing, sedimentation, deepening of the river and disease severely reduced the population. However, studies show the river still has a high volume of floating oyster larvae, and it’s hoped the expanded reef will serve as a base for the larvae to attach and grow. 

Additional environmental work planned 

The reef expansion isn’t the only river enhancement work to be done. 

Work crews will also restore 10 acres of wetlands in the park and install about 2,000 feet of living shorelines along the park’s river boundary, including salt marsh habitats and oyster reef sills. Those sills are essentially low-elevation reefs made up of oyster shells, which will help protect the shoreline and provide habitats for aquatic species. 

The reef is part of the Oyster Pathway, which the Coastal Federation hopes to extend downriver to Bald Head Island. The path would connect the natural reefs in the waterway with reefs built by the Coastal Federation, Audubon North Carolina, UNC Wilmington and the Bald Head Island Conservancy. 

The DMF launched its artificial reef program in the 1970s. It now has a total of 68 permitted artificial reefs and oyster sanctuaries in the state. 

More from Sci NC

Watch Sci NC to learn more about the artificial reef program and NC’s oysters. 

The post Expansion for Artificial Reef in the Cape Fear River appeared first on NC Oyster Trail.

By Brennan Doherty | Reprinted from UNC Chapel Hill

Doctoral student Nick Funnell (right) hand-excavates oysters in the Newport River for processing back in the lab. (Submitted photo)

As an undergraduate student at Bowdoin College, Nick Funnell took an oceanography course and visited the coast of Maine to investigate why many clams died at a farm.

“We didn’t have an immense toolbox,” he said, “but we were really interested in trying to help those people.”

This sort of “applied ecology,” using theoretical concepts to solve existing issues, excites Funnell and led him to UNC-Chapel Hill as a doctoral student in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences’ environment, ecology and energy program. This time, he’s studying a different shellfish, oysters, along the North Carolina coast.

As one of The Graduate School’s Royster Fellows, an honor for which he’s received funding and travel opportunities, he has a bigger toolbox for his research. Funnell has been to 25 oyster farms — from Wilmington, through Morehead City and up to Buxton on the Outer Banks. He worked with harvesters to study the health of oyster environments.

“Oysters are a food source for people and provide valuable ecosystem services,” said Funnell, who will earn his doctorate in May. “They’re cleaning the water and they’re providing habitat. They’re just a very important species — ecologically, culturally and economically.”

The oyster industry provided nearly $15 million to the North Carolina economy in 2022 and is vital to the shellfish sector, which has grown considerably this century.

That’s one reason Funnell’s research is important.

The economic benefits from oysters could take a hit because of increasingly polluted waters, which shrinks the number of locations oystering can occur in North Carolina.

“There are lines along each estuary and water body where harvest is not allowed past a certain point because they’re too polluted,” Funnell explained, “and those lines are not moving higher up.”

But Funnell’s research is well-timed. The United Nations declared 2021-30 the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It’s an emphasis that extends to North Carolinians on the state’s coast who base their livelihoods on aquaculture. Funnell said the oyster growers he’s met through his research are vested in sustainability.

“Having any amount of oysters out there is going to be a net environmental positive because they’re filtering the water and making it cleaner and providing habitat,” Funnell said. “Rarely are oyster farming and restoration at odds.”

He’s centered these oyster farmers in his work. Several of Funnell’s research topics came from “having them tell me about what’s going on” and asking what he can help with.

“If it’s impactful in North Carolina, it ought to involve North Carolinians at every step,” he said.

At Carolina, Funnell worked closely with Joel Fodrie, director of the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences. This adviser-advisee relationship thrived because Fodrie is into “mud and buckets science,” according to Funnell, a self-described “fieldwork-motivated person.”

Funnell spent his second and third years in the program in Morehead City at the IMS, and he’s since made regular trips back and forth between Chapel Hill and the coast.

Funnell crossed paths with Perry Bayer (left) and Christian Bayer (right), of My Lord Honey Seafood, seen here relaying oysters in Wards Creek near Beaufort. (Photo by Nick Funnell)

Funnell has also embraced the chance to educate, serving as a teaching assistant in three courses, including aiding students in their independent studies at the IMS. He comes from a family of teachers and can see himself becoming a professor one day.

“The beauty of an ecology degree is you can do academia, you can do nonprofit, and you can do local, state and federal government,” Funnell said.

What’s next? Funnell is looking for work that will allow him to get outdoors, research and mentor new scientists.

It’s a job-search wish list that mirrors his experiences as a Tar Heel.

The post This Royster studies oysters appeared first on NC Oyster Trail.

Sea Grant staff visiting the oyster photo exhibit. Credit: Jane Harrison.

North Carolina Sea Grant and the NC Oyster Trail have teamed up on an oyster photo exhibit to showcase the folks behind the shellfish grown in our state. The exhibit celebrates the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of oysters and the people who help sustain this vital coastal resource. To bring the exhibit to your community, fill out this interest form.

The Exhibit

This dynamic photo exhibit includes seven 3×3 ft displays, each highlighting a different aspect of North Carolina’s oyster story, from restoring coastal ecosystems to supporting local businesses. These beautiful and informative panels feature farmers, scientists, harvesters, and entrepreneurs who are helping oysters thrive in our state.

A living shoreline. Credit: Justin Kase Conder.

An example of a featured topic in the exhibit is oysters’ contribution to a healthy ecosystem. A photo of a living shoreline on Harkers Island depicts the essential ecosystem services provided by oysters. Shellfish like oysters improve water quality by filtering nutrients, provide habitat for 300+ finfish and crustaceans, and serve as a food source for marine organisms and humans.

Another key takeaway from the exhibit is that 50% of NC oyster production comes from aquaculture. North Carolina has more than 300 oyster farms. Aquaculture produces oysters without depleting wild stocks. Oyster farmers often use floating cages or bags to grow out oyster seed.

Ryan Bethea. Credit: Justin Kase Conder.

“The best part about oyster farming is being out on the water. And oysters are delicious,” says Ryan Bethea, oyster farmer and owner of Oysters Carolina.

Make sure to ask for local seafood and support North Carolina’s working waterfront communities. Restaurants and markets that sell local oysters year-round can be found on the NC Oyster Trail. And once you’re done eating oysters, recycle the shells. Juvenile oysters attach to hard surfaces like shells, fusing together to form reefs, and are available for harvest in the next generation.

Matt Schwab of Hold Fast Oyster Co. Credit: Justin Kase Conder.

Want to Host the Exhibit?

The exhibit is a great fit for museums, aquariums, libraries, classrooms, visitor centers, and more. It’s easy to install and can be set up for special events or longer stays (up to four weeks). Displays are available with metal stands or can be wall-mounted with pushpins.

To bring the exhibit to your community, fill out this interest form.

“The exhibit connects people to the coastal heritage of North Carolina while raising awareness about the role oysters play in healthy ecosystems and resilient communities,” says Jane Harrison, NC Oyster Trail coordinator and NC Sea Grant coastal economics specialist. For more info or to chat about exhibit logistics, email jane_harrison@ncsu.edu.

The post Oyster Photo Exhibit Available For Your Community appeared first on NC Oyster Trail.

by Allison Aplin on March 31, 2025 | Reprinted from Coastwatch

Rising seas and warming temperatures pose challenges for a critical, eco-friendly industry.

North Carolina is home to the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), which can vary in size, shape, and taste depending on water quality and location.  As the “Napa Valley of Oysters,” North Carolina’s pristine environment supports a variety of oyster “merroirs,” or flavors.

Oyster habitats range from deep water reefs in the sounds to shallow areas adjacent to salt marsh grasses. Although North Carolina’s wild oyster populations have declined to approximately 15-20% of historic harvest levels, various initiatives, including oyster farming and sanctuary systems, aim to restore wild populations.

Oyster reefs also provide habitat for a wide range of species, including fish, barnacles, crabs, anemones, and shrimp, improving biodiversity in estuarine habitats. This habitat additionally offers protection for many juvenile species, which in turn leads to increased dockside commercial seafood sales. Dockside sales and other retailers contribute $80.3 million to North Carolina’s $300 million annual wild-caught commercial fishing industry.

While Eastern oysters face many challenges due to our changing climate, they provide numerous eco-friendly benefits for coastal communities. For example, they filter algae from surrounding water, effectively removing impurities and improving water quality. Under certain conditions, in fact, a single oyster can filter 50 gallons of water per day. During this process, oysters also transfer nutrients from the top of the estuarine habitat to the bottom, creating an important link in the food chain.

Credit: VisitNC

Oyster reefs also help protect shorelines by acting as natural breakwaters that absorb wave energy and dissipate its power. “Living shorelines” — which incorporate native plants, oysters, and rocks instead of concrete seawalls — have become an increasingly popular tool to prevent erosion and damage from storm surges.

Although there are often consumer concerns about farm-raised food, oysters are unique in that they do not require any feed, while providing nutrients that include protein, calcium, iron, and zinc. As climate change continues to impact food supply and as demand for food increases, relatively low-maintenance protein sources like oysters will become increasingly important.

Delayed Harvests, Storm Damage, and Disease

Climate change has caused global shifts in many facets of the environment, including increases in sea temperatures, sea level, and storm intensity. Over the last three decades, sea surface temperatures consistently have reached record highs since reliable data collection began in 1880.

Over the last two decades, relative to coastal North Carolina’s sinking land, the Atlantic rose roughly 4.5 inches at Duck, 6 inches at Beaufort, and 8 inches at Wilmington. Droughts, flooding, and severe hurricanes have ravaged the coastlines of the United States. Warmer sea surface temperatures intensify tropical storm wind speeds, resulting in greater damage upon landfall.

Credit: Baxter Miller

Estuaries — where fresh rivers meet the salty ocean — are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to shifts in water level and temperatures in both upland and coastal areas. North Carolina has 2.2 million acres of estuarine environment along its coastline, and approximately 90% of North Carolina’s commercially significant species live in estuaries at some point in their life cycle, including oysters.

Rising ocean temperatures also adversely affect the physiology of Eastern oysters, leading to reduced rates of growth and reproduction. On the other hand, cooler waters provide more nutrients for oysters to filter feed, as well as higher oxygen levels, both of which support growth.

Oysters also rely on environmental cues from cooler waters, and particular salinity ranges, to initiate their reproductive cycle. Consequently, warming temperatures can result in delayed harvest seasons due to growth later in the season.

Warming ocean temperatures also contribute to intensified storms. Since 1980, there have been over 120 confirmed extreme weather events in North Carolina, including 54 severe storms and 31 tropical cyclones, each resulting in losses of over $1 billion to the state.

Credit: NOAA

Direct impacts from storms include property damage, flooding, water contamination, and destruction of oysters or oyster gear, as well as extreme changes in salinity. Even years of increased rainfall can impact oyster farming, as the change in salinity from fresh waters can affect oyster survival, particularly in early life.

Hurricane Florence alone caused an estimated $10 million in damages to North Carolina’s shellfish aquaculture industry in 2018. Such storms also harm tourism and reduce public interest in traveling to the North Carolina coast, which indirectly affects oyster farming and other aquaculture businesses.

Oyster aquaculture is also facing significant challenges due to mass mortality events. The causes remain unclear, but warming temperatures facilitate the rapid growth and spread of bacteria and viruses. Additionally, environmental factors such as salinity, water quality and runoff — issues that storms and storm surge exacerbate — can further compromise oyster health.

Regardless of the specific causes, these mortality events have had devastating effects on oyster farmers in North Carolina. For example, in May 2022, several mortality incidents occurred along the North Carolina coastline, spanning 115 miles, with Stump Sound particularly hard-hit, resulting in oyster losses up to 90%.

Credit: Baxter Miller

NC State University’s Tal Ben-Horin is spearheading a new Sea Grant-funded study of mass mortality events, accounting for a wide range of factors in order to determine how growers can lessen or eliminate these events.

Supporting a Species and an Industry

Supporting oysters in North Carolina benefits coastal ecosystems and communities:

• Follow the North Carolina Oyster Trail to discover oyster farmers, restaurants, seafood markets, and educational experiences that promote and celebrate local oysters.
• Consider adopting an oyster through the North Carolina Coastal Federation, which also collaborates with The Nature Conservancy and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) to build oyster sanctuaries.
• Recycle oyster shells or encourage local oyster-selling businesses to do so, because recycled shells are vital for creating new oyster habitats.

Allison Aplin is a masters candidate in environmental management in coastal and marine systems at the Duke Nicholas School of the Environment. She also serves as an outreach intern for North Carolina Sea Grant. 

lead photo: Daniel Pullen.

The post Climate Change in the Napa Valley of Oysters appeared first on NC Oyster Trail.

b

Reprinted from Port City Daily on February 25, 2022

For Beverly and Jason Simas, owners of the Shuckin’ Shack in Surf City, it doesn’t stop there. This dynamic duo is committed to giving back to the environment that has enabled them to serve the freshest local seafood since 2015.

“At Shuckin Shack, Surf City we are completely committed to oyster recycling. One-hundred percent of our oyster shells are recycled and returned to local waters to create artificial reefs and stimulate the growth of new wild oysters,” explains Beverly. “We volunteer with the NC Coastal Federation when teams get together to ‘bag’ local oysters to be returned to local waters.”

The commitment to local sustainability has earned the eatery a place on the North Carolina Oyster Trail, which highlights local restaurants, oyster farmers, and eco tours that spotlight the local mollusk.

“To be listed on the trail, we had to commit to keeping the local oysters on our menu every day,” said Beverly. “That isn’t a challenge for us because we love to make our local delicacies the star of the show. The taste is amazing and they clean our local waters, so it really is a win-win for everyone.”

In addition, they also bring in oysters from locations along the East Coast, to provide patrons with a taste of oysters from areas outside the Carolinas, including Canada.

“Every day, you can sample oysters from our local waters and fresh oysters from up and down the East Coast. It’s an amazing experience,” she said. “You can also have those oysters cooked in our many oyster dishes like chargrilled oysters. A varied oyster menu was our dream in opening an oyster bar.”

Beverly and Jason Simas, owners of the Shuckin’ Shack in Surf City.

But it isn’t just the locally sourced items that keep patrons coming back. According to the Simas’ the staff is by far the number one incredible reason why Shuckin’ Shack of Surf City has such a loyal customer base. According to Beverly, the restaurant has a policy of tip sharing among the staff members, which has fostered an environment where the responsibility to show guests the best time imaginable is not only shared, it’s embraced as an attitude.

“You will never hear any of our team members say, ‘that’s not my table,’ or ‘those aren’t my guests,” she said. “We are really proud of the team environment. Not only are our patrons the beneficiaries of top-quality customer service, but it really makes for an outstanding work environment for our team. And they work really hard, so it’s equally as important that they like coming to work and are proud to be a part of the Shuckin’ Shack team.”

Aside from its menu, Beverly said they work very hard to distinguish the restaurant with a “complete commitment to community charity and involvement.” Among the charities they consistently support is the Reel Housewives of Topsail Island Breast Cancer Charity Ride. For more than a decade, the Island-wide, 26-mile bicycle ride is held each fall to raise funds and help local breast cancer patients & survivors.

“We hold a sign-up kick-off party with live music, which is really a ton of fun,” she said. “We feel very strongly about giving back to the people who have patronized us over the years. That’s the beauty of a small-town community bar and restaurant – most people don’t realize how small, brick-and-mortar businesses sustain such charitable efforts throughout this country. It’s so important.”

Beverly and Jason work hard to plan events in the restaurant each month to give visitors something extra special to experience while dining. A Mardi Gras celebration will be held from February 25 – March 1 during which guests will be “transported” to New Orleans and treated to a special menu of food and drink inspired by the Big Easy.

During the week of St. Patrick’s Day, Shuckin’ Shack Surf City will be transformed into an authentic Irish Pub, complete with lively Irish music, bangers n’ mash, and green beer. According to the Simas’ EVERYTHING is going to be green!

Shuckin’ Shack Surf City prides itself on catering to both locals and tourists, providing them a place to enjoy a good time and watch a sporting event on big screens while taking in some of the local history.

Menu items are not limited to seafood. In addition to the crab legs, Ahi tuna, and seafood tacos, Shuckin’ Shack serves amazing burgers, sandwiches, salads, and chicken wings, which can be washed down with its popular Shack Attack Bloody Mary.

Shuckin’ Shack is located at 13460 NC 50 #101 in Surf City. They are open seven days a week from 12 noon – 9 p.m. For more information, contact Shuckin’ Shack at 910.803.2037.

The post Surf City Sustainability: Shuckin’ Shack recognized as part of NC Oyster Trail appeared first on NC Oyster Trail.