I was on a tour in the Chesapeake bay, they said in the 1800s, they used to have to break up oyster beds because ships could beach on them, now (~10 years ago, hopefully it changed) they can't get a single one to grow there.

Chesapeake oysters are one of the great success stories of marine species restoration: https://e360.yale.edu/features/a-remarkable-recovery-for-the...

Circa ~2005, they began seeding modified oysters that were more resistant to the pathogens decimating the natural population.

Through a managed reintroduction and harvesting program, they've begun to gradually heal the bay and continue to expand the footprint of oysters.

Better ecosystems through science, indeed!

Where I'm from, I've not seen a native shellfish in quite some time. Corbicula fluminea, aka "Asian clam," has been the only clam we've been seeing the past few years. We've been to a few state parks and hatchery tours where they're attempting to grow more native shellfish and reintroduce them. I hope they succeed.

Oysterland | A Dalstrong Film © https://youtu.be/ZBYcJ3b4CaA also talks about environmental improvements benefiting oysters and how oysters are also part of the solution. And, it's a beautiful film.

> In our latest feature film, we dive deeper into the story of the Rappahannock Oyster Co., speaking with cousins Ryan and Travis Croxton to learn how they're revolutionizing the shellfish industry in the Chesapeake Bay. With research and innovation, they helped transform the regional oyster population from nearly endangered to the beating heart of a thriving ecosystem.

> The book is full of great lines too e.g. "New York is not a city that plans; it creates situations and then deals with them"

This sounds like a good line to describe America in miniature.