The Orange County Coastkeeper collected 724 pounds of discarded oyster shells at the DTLA Oyster Festival over the weekend.
The two-day festival, which showcases international oyster cuisine, is held every autumn near The Oyster Gourmet Bar in downtown L.A.’s Grand Central Market.
It was founded in 2015 by the city’s only maître écallier (Shellfish Master) Christophe Happillon, and returned this year after a five-year hiatus.
“We were excited to bring the DTLA Oyster Festival back after several years and to collaborate with O.C. Coastkeeper to support their mission,” Happillon said.
While attendees sampled many different oyster-containing dishes, Coastkeeper officials organized an educational booth for participants to learn how discarded shells can contribute to healthier shorelines.
“These reclaimed shells will undergo a natural curing process for a year, after which they’ll be repurposed for native oyster restoration projects in Long Beach and Seal Beach to help combat coastal erosion, habitat loss and water quality issues,” the Orange County Coastkeeper said in a media release. “This initiative helps reduce food waste, lower program costs and engage the community in marine science projects.”
The partnership between the Oyster Festival and Coastkeeper is an extension of the latter’s Shells for Shorelines program, which recycles oyster shells donated by restaurants for native oyster restoration in Southern California, a key facet of keeping regional shorelines intact.
“Southern California’s oyster population has rapidly declined from overharvesting, coastal development and threats to water quality,” said Orange County Coastkeeper Marine Restoration Director Kaysha Kenney. “This is a significant concern in our region, as oysters play a crucial role in maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems.”
“By restoring Olympia oysters – California’s only native oyster species – we can take meaningful steps to improve water quality, buffer against rising sea levels, stabilize shorelines and create essential habitats that benefit fish, wildlife and coastal communities alike,” she continued.
Happillon hopes that his future festivals can have the same positive effects on the oyster-eating community as well as the oysters themselves.
“We look forward to continuing our support of the organization and the great things they do to support coastal ecosystems and local communities,” he said.
The Orange County Coastkeeper collected 724 pounds of discarded oyster shells at the DTLA Oyster Festival over the weekend. The two-day festival, which showcases international oyster cuisine, is held every autumn near The Oyster Gourmet Bar in downtown L.A.’s Grand Central Market. It was founded in 2015 by the city’s only maître écallier (Shellfish Master) […]
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