Olympia Oyster Restoration & Survey
The MRC works to restore populations of the native Olympia oyster, mainly in partnership with the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe in Sequim Bay. Restoration includes monitoring populations and adding clean oyster shell as substrate for young oysters to settle onto.
Since 2012, Clallam MRC has participated in the Puget Sound wide effort to restore Olympia oyster habitats. The purpose of the effort is to restore the ecosystem services that dense beds of native oysters once provided by creating a structured habitat for a diverse community of organisms.
2025 survey of the Olympia oyster restoration site, with MRC member Ed Bowlby recording data at left. Photo credit Rebecca Mahan.
Recording the number and size of Olympia oysters within a survey plot. Photo credit Rebecca Mahan.