NC legislators approve more money to help oyster population

Oysters are one of nature’s ways to clean our waters.

State legislators just approved more than $6 million to help oyster populations.

Four million will go to a research hatchery at UNCW.

Two million will go to expanding the division of marine fisheries oyster sanctuary.

Oysters are an important part of our marine life because they filter pollutants, and they also provide habitats for other sea life like crabs, shrimp and flounder.

Currently, there are no oyster hatcheries in our area.

Ted Wilgis, NC Coastal Federation, said, “A research hatchery allows us to work on things like oyster disease, which is one of the primary things that is limiting our oysters from recovering.”

Oysters also support commercial and recreational fishing, which are two important parts of our economy.