Project Aims to Rebuild Great Bay Oyster Population

The New Hampshire Oyster Conservationist program is in line to land some federal funding to support ongoing efforts to restore oysters in Great Bay.

The governor and Executive Council will consider awarding the grant money Wednesday to The Nature Conservancy to support the volunteer program. The total project cost is $119,596, with the $59,798 coming from a federal grant and The Nature Conservancy covering the rest.

The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with the University of New Hampshire, is the only entity in New Hampshire engaging in restoring the oyster population in Great Bay, according to the contract before the Executive Council.

The Oyster Conservationist project was launched in 2006. Since 2009, it has added 3 million oysters to Great Bay and the goal is to rebuild a sustainable oyster population by 2025.

Oysters are critical for a healthy marine environment.

Read more about The Oyster Conservationist program.