In the 18th and 19th centuries, wild oysters were so abundant in European oceans that they were a dietary staple for rich and poor people alike. Overfishing and steam-powered dredges put an end to that era, but the importance of oysters wasn’t forgotten – not only as a protein-packed food source but also as an environmental asset. Oysters filter out nutrients and pollutants, build habitats for other aquatic species and, in large enough reefs, can act as natural breakwaters.Read More