Oyster are keystone species in coastal environments. Decline in oyster population has led to:
- Excess of nutrients
- Weaker coastlines
- Polluted Runoff
- Dead zones
- Habitat Degradation
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All of these listed above are either causing or are due to loss of oysters. Oysters are key to filtering nutrients which in turn keeps algae population in check and allow aquatic vegetation to perform photosynthesis and fish access to dissolved oxygen. In addition, oyster reefs are vital to securing coastlines and natural protection from storm surges. Oysters themselves offer safety to fish and other crustaceans and create ecosystems within the waterways for them to survive.