More than 7 million oysters have helped protect over 1,000 aquaculture and related jobs in the US while supporting marine conservation. The Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (SOAR) programme was launched in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic left oyster farmers with large quantities of unsold shellfish. According to The Pew Charitable Trusts, the initiative has purchased oysters from over 150 growers, supported 35 restoration sites across eight US states and helped restore more than 60 acres of native oyster reefs.
At a time when layoff announcements are making headlines and workers across industries are worried about job security, an unusual story from the US offers a different perspective. More than 70 lakh oysters have helped protect over 1,000 jobs, while also contributing to the restoration of damaged marine habitats. The story began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when restaurant closures left oyster farmers with millions of unsold shellfish. With one of their biggest markets suddenly disappearing, growers faced mounting losses. But instead of allowing the oysters to go to waste, a conservation programme found a way to put them to use.
According to an October 26, 2026, report by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (SOAR) programme purchased more than 7 million oysters from over 150 growers. It has helped protect more than 1,000 aquaculture and related jobs, supported 35 restoration sites across eight US states and contributed to the recovery of more than 60 acres of native oyster reefs.
What started as an emergency response to a market collapse has since developed into a wider effort to bring together the seafood industry and marine conservation.
How the COVID-19 crisis triggered the initiative
Raising oysters takes time, money and labour. The sudden drop in demand during the Covid crisis threatened farm incomes and put jobs across the shellfish industry at risk. The environmental situation was also concerning. Wild oyster populations along US coastlines had declined because of overharvesting, pollution, disease and habitat destruction. In many areas, damaged reefs struggled to recover naturally.
The crisis created an opportunity to address both issues through one programme. The Pew Charitable Trusts and The Nature Conservancy developed SOAR to purchase surplus farmed oysters and redirect them to suitable reef restoration projects. Builders Vision and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation also provided financial support.
The idea was straightforward. Farmers could sell oysters that might otherwise remain unsold, while conservation groups could use the shellfish to help rebuild marine habitats. What began as an emergency response gradually developed into a broader partnership between the aquaculture industry and environmental organisations.
From unsold oysters to 35 restoration sites
SOAR began by connecting oyster growers with restoration projects that needed shellfish. One of its early efforts took place in New Hampshire's Great Bay, where local oyster farms and the University of New Hampshire worked together to support reef recovery. The programme later expanded to other coastal locations, including Barnegat Bay in New Jersey and Delaware Bay. Partnerships with researchers, state agencies, conservation groups and industry representatives helped organise oyster purchases and transport them to restoration sites.
The process required more than simply moving shellfish from farms to the water. Participating growers had to meet standards, while inspections and delivery schedules helped ensure that oysters were suitable for restoration and reached the intended locations. According to Pew, the initiative has purchased more than 7 million oysters from over 150 growers and supplied shellfish and oyster shells to 35 restoration sites across eight states.
The purchases included around 1.4 million farmer-grown spat on shell. These are young oysters attached to shells, which can help establish new oyster populations when placed at suitable restoration sites. One project involved the Squaxin Island Tribe and the Puget Sound Restoration Fund in Washington state. The partners replanted approximately 71,000 adult native Olympia oysters in Palela Bay. Other restoration efforts have supported projects in Maryland and New York.
Together, these activities show how farmed oysters can serve a purpose beyond the seafood market when growers and conservation groups work towards a shared goal.
How oyster reefs help the environment
Oyster reefs are important to coastal ecosystems because they provide several benefits at once. Oysters filter water as they feed, removing suspended particles. Dense reefs also create habitats where fish, crabs and other marine organisms can find food and shelter. These reefs can help protect coastlines, too. Their structures absorb some wave energy and can reduce shoreline erosion, making them valuable to communities facing coastal damage.
When reefs disappear, the impact extends beyond oyster populations. Marine habitats lose an important source of shelter, and coastal areas can lose part of their natural defence against waves.
Restoring these reefs, however, is not as simple as placing oysters in the water. Success depends on factors such as water quality, local environmental conditions and the suitability of the restoration site. Newly introduced oysters must survive and establish themselves for the project to deliver lasting benefits.
SOAR's approach offers one way to support that process. Farmed oysters can provide shellfish for restoration work, while purchases help growers maintain a market for their produce. The programme therefore links the economic needs of coastal communities with efforts to rebuild damaged marine habitats.
A programme that supports farmers and coastal jobs
The initiative's economic impact is a key part of its model. By purchasing oysters that farmers could not sell through their usual channels, SOAR created an alternative source of demand during a period of severe disruption. According to Pew, the programme has helped protect more than 1,000 aquaculture and related jobs. Its work has involved more than 150 growers, connecting individual farms with conservation projects that need a supply of shellfish.
The programme's broader activities have also expanded beyond oyster purchases. Its Shellfish Growers Resiliency Fund, launched in 2021, has supported 83 farmer-led projects. Workforce development initiatives in 2025 and 2026 have provided opportunities through internships, training and professional development for people entering the shellfish industry. Across its wider activities, SOAR has reached 21 states and Puerto Rico. This broader footprint is separate from the oyster purchase and reef restoration programme, which has operated across eight states.
