Volunteers spread oyster shells in one of two locations in Raab's Lagoon.

Olympia Oysters are the ONLY oyster native to the Pacific Northwest and were once common throughout the Puget Sound.  Sadly, over-harvesting, industrial pollution, and parasites have greatly depleted their numbers in recent years.  On June 23^rd groups around the region allied to help reverse this process by creating “oyster nurseries” at two locations along the shore of Vashon Island to help encourage their reestablishment. 

18 Volunteers joined the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance and the Puget Sound Restoration Fund at Raab’s Lagoon On Vashon Island to spread bags of oyster shells on the beach to encourage the expansion of the existing oyster population there.  This is one of the few areas in the Central Sound with an existing population of Olympia Oysters. 

Some who were present noted a great moment watching a volunteer named Brian sitting on top of a mound of oysters on an overloaded Jon Boat paddling across the lagoon – too bad they didn’t have a camera ready for that!  The same volunteer later donned a snorkeling mask to retrieve a lost pair of eyeglasses – great work Brian!

This project was significant because Olympia Oysters provide valuable services to the environment of our region by filtering water and by providing habitat and food for birds, salmon, and other animals.  This project should provide ecological benefits for the entire area, including nearby aquatic reserves.

This project was made possible by a WaterWorks grant awarded by the King County Department of Natural Resources.  And a special thanks goes to shoreline property owners Annie Roberts and Paul Billingsby who participated by allowing the use of their shoreline for this project.

(Photos and event information courtesy of Chris Wilke, Pollution Prevention Director of the Puget SoundKeeper Alliance)

Photos of this Event