Oysters

At the MSC, we believe that there is no such thing as a sustainable species, only sustainable stocks (‘stock’ is another word for group or population of fish). While the majority of oysters consumed by people come from oyster farms - many of which are Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified - wild oysters can be found worldwide. In fact, there are five MSC certified wild oyster fisheries, and many oyster products can be found in stores and restaurants with the blue fish label throughout North America.

Long story short: if your oysters have the MSC blue fish label on them, they are sustainable! 

That means enough oysters are being left to continue reproducing, they were harvested in a way that maintains the marine ecosystem, and there is responsible management oversight so any changes to the stock or the environment are monitored and can be responded to as needed. Oysters with the MSC blue fish label come from a certified sustainable source and have an independently verified supply chain.

Did you know? Oysters have been eaten in the Americas for thousands of years. There are oyster middens (large mounds made of oyster shells) in Maine dating back to over 2,000 years ago.

What Are Oysters?

There are hundreds of oyster species and even more varieties, but five species are most commonly found in North America. These include Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea gigas), Atlantic or Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginicas), Kumamoto Oysters (Crassostrea kikamea), Olympia Oysters (Ostrea lurida and Ostrea conchapila), and European Flats (Ostrea edulis). Each oyster comes with its own flavor profile and has spawned many dinner table debates about which one is officially the best. 

Did you know? There are over 200 different species of oysters around the world.  

Whichever is your favorite, oysters are good for you and the ocean, too. They are filter feeders (this means that as water passes through them, they extract plankton and other nutrients from the water) - a single oyster is capable of filtering up to 25 gallons of water a day! They are also critically important to healthy ecosystems – oyster reefs protect bays and coastal communities from storm surges, lessening the damage of hurricanes and other storms. They also provide homes to a variety of marine life, like fish, crabs, and even other oysters.

Are Oysters Healthy?

Oysters are a healthy source of protein that are low in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids. They’re also packed full of iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamins B12 and D. 

And you don’t have to go to a raw bar to enjoy these health benefits. Oysters are also delicious grilled, smoked, and even fried! Wow your guests at your next dinner party with these sustainable bivalves. 

Where Can I Find Sustainable Oysters

Oysters are a great option to try at home, and MSC certified oysters can be found in many grocery and online stores. Check the chilled and frozen section for oysters on the half shell and shucked oysters. You might even find prepared fried oysters in the freezer section! 

Take a look at our Where to Buy Page for tips on finding the blue fish label near you.