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Restoring San Francisco Bay "Turning Pollution Into Pearls"

Restoring San Francisco Bay "Turning Pollution Into Pearls"Restoring San Francisco Bay "Turning Pollution Into Pearls"Restoring San Francisco Bay "Turning Pollution Into Pearls"

Harnessing oysters to clean our waters, rebuild habitats, and create a sustainable future for California’s coastline.

Restoring San Francisco Bay "Turning Pollution Into Pearls"

Restoring San Francisco Bay "Turning Pollution Into Pearls"Restoring San Francisco Bay "Turning Pollution Into Pearls"Restoring San Francisco Bay "Turning Pollution Into Pearls"

Harnessing oysters to clean our waters, rebuild habitats, and create a sustainable future for California’s coastline.

Saving the Oceans, One Oyster at a Time

Our Mission

The Oyster Culture Foundation (OCF) is advancing a science-based, ecosystem-scale restoration strategy to improve water quality, strengthen coastal resilience, and expand equitable access to marine ecosystems in the San Francisco Bay. Through its Oyster Culture Bioremediation (OCB) initiative, which functions as a public utility service and wastewater and stormwater mitigation strategy for water quality restoration in San Francisco Bay, OCF proposes the deployment of 14 million triploid Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas) across 1,300 acres of subtidal and intertidal habitat. Over the course of four years, this effort will enhance more than 30 miles of shoreline and reef structure, delivering significant environmental, social, and economic co-benefits.


Triploid oysters introduced through the OCB initiative are expected to function as nature-based infrastructure, providing essential ecosystem services including water filtration, shoreline stabilization, habitat provisioning, and pollutant buffering. These services contribute to regional climate adaptation goals and help safeguard coastal communities, particularly those that have been historically underserved and disproportionately affected by environmental degradation.


In alignment with best practices for habitat restoration, the project prioritizes conditions that promote the recovery of the native Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida), a keystone species once abundant throughout the Bay. Due to historical overharvest, habitat loss, and water quality decline, Olympia oyster populations have reached critically low levels. By utilizing the filtration capacity of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) as a functional complement, this project supports near-term ecological improvements while creating long-term habitat conditions that benefit native species.


OCF’s restoration efforts will directly contribute to improved estuarine health, enhanced biodiversity, and more resilient coastal systems. In parallel, the initiative seeks to support sustainable fisheries management and expand access to marine resources for Indigenous communities and other local stakeholders through collaborative stewardship and science-based planning. This project reflects an integrated approach to marine conservation, aligning ecosystem restoration with community resilience and environmental justice.


Bioremediation

bi·o·re·me·di·a·tion [ˌbīōrəˌmēdēˈāSHən] noun

The use of either naturally occurring or deliberately introduced~ forms of life [Oysters] to consume and break down environmental pollutants, in order to clean up a polluted site.

Find out more

"Turning Pollution Into Pearls"

"Turning Pollution Into Pearls"

"Turning Pollution Into Pearls"

Consider the Oyster, Natures Biofilter


Oysters in Bioremediation

Filter up to 100 gallons a day

and live over 20 years.  


Learn more...

Oyster Culture

Marine Biofiltration

"Turning Pollution Into Pearls"

"Turning Pollution Into Pearls"

"Replacing 1,300-acres of Oyster Reef

would have the same effect as building a new 

Wastewater Treatment Plant" 

- The Nature Conservancy


A new facility would cost over $100m but 14m oysters costs only $38m.

Bioremediation

Make A Donation

"Turning Pollution Into Pearls"

Make A Donation

As a registered 501(c)(3) organization, we provide a official tax deduction letter for all donations.


"Thank you for being un-selfish by helping our shellfish."

-the Ocean

Donate Now

Sponsor Oysters

Sponsor Oysters

Make A Donation

Make the cleanest part of the bay your own!


Private Boat Owners, 

Marinas, Yacht Clubs and 

All Bay Front Property Owners


Sponsor a Conservation Easements to Host

Oysters in Bioremediation

 

Reduce Bottom Fowling

Offset Personal Impacts

Restore Ocean Water Quality

Host an Easement

Clean the Bay

Sponsor Oysters

Clean the Bay

We Deploy

Bioremediation Enclosures


Containing

100+ Pacific Oysters, 

Living 20+ years, 

Filtering 100gallons a day.


Restoring

70+ Million Gallons 

of SFBay Water 

for a $250 donation.

I Give A Shuck

Join Our Team

Sponsor Oysters

Clean the Bay

Environmentally Minded Professionals & VolunteersHelp us to restore 

ocean water quality today!


Reclaiming wetlands and self-sustaining ecosystems to remediate upstream pollution from waste treatment plants, landfills, refineries, factory farms, roadways and parking lots. Sequestering pollution before it reaches the ocean.  


Internship Opportunities Apply Here.

Contribute

Give a shuck? Donate a buck. Offset your oyster grubbn'

"Bucks for shucks"

Donating Live Pacific Oysters & Saving Oyster Shells

"Bucks for Shucks" Partners, Restaurants & Oyster Farms

Find out more through our Blog

Oysters are more valuable in the water than on your plate.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Stay connected to one of the most ambitious marine restoration efforts in the San Francisco Bay. Get the latest on our oyster reef restoration efforts and stay informed with project updates, community events, volunteer opportunities, and how nature-based solutions are protecting our coastlines and water quality. Join the movement to restore the Bay.

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Oyster Culture, Bioremediation

Copyright © 2021 Oyster Culture Foundation - All Rights Reserved.

501(c)(3)EIN: 35-1957107 - 1.707.837.8113

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