NC Now's video: The Oyster Catchers NC Now UNC-TV

Oyster aquaculture in North Carolina is growing rapidly. Experts say the majority of our farm-raised oysters of the future will grow from hybrid baby oysters started in hatcheries…bred not to reproduce but to put all their energy into quickly growing plump and meaty. But through UNC research, two Carteret County oystermen have invented a special foundation material that speeds collection of WILD baby oysters from floating larvae. They say it’s not only an alternate method of producing so-called “seed” oysters for aquaculture…but also a way to help help restore wild oyster reefs and marine habitat along sound and river shorelines.