Oyster reefs, once so plentiful they blocked shipping traffic, have been in decline due to overharvesting, pollution, and recent oil spill activities, experts say. But scientists are working to restore the reefs using special material called oysterkrete.

AS SCIENTISTS, BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS SEEK TO REMEDY THE NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE HUGE OIL SPILL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, IT IS CLEAR THEY MUST ALSO ADDRESS SOME OF THE GULF’S LONGSTANDING PROBLEMS.

EVEN BEFORE THE BP WELL STARTED SPEWING OIL, THE GULF REGION STRUGGLED WITH POOR WATER QUALITY, LOSS OF WETLANDS AND PLUMMETING POPULATIONS OF A VARIETY OF ANIMAL SPECIES. IT TURNS OUT ONE POSSIBLE KEY TO SOLVING SOME OF THESE ISSUES IS AN UNLIKELY LIVING CREATURE: THE OYSTER.

HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO,