Lynnhaven River 2007 is working with 8 Virginia Beach restaurants and 5 partners to launch our new "Save Oyster Shell (S.O.S.) for the Lynnhaven" program this summer. 

If you order oysters or clams this summer at one of the participating restaurants, the shells from your meal will

be collected and used to build and restore oyster reefs in the Lynnhaven River in spring 2007.

Individuals can also help by saving oyster and clam shells from their own dinner tables or oyster roasts, and depositing them at public shell collection sites located at Bubba’s Shellfish Company and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. 

Why Save Oyster Shells for the Lynnhaven?

S.O.S. for the Lynnhaven generates public awareness about the need for oyster reef

restoration in the river, while it also builds up a source of shells that we must have to

actually build the reefs. 

Oyster reefs help the Lynnhaven River by providing water filtration, as well as food and habitat for many creatures that live in the river. Unfortunately, the river’s oyster population is only at 2% of what it was when colonists entered the Lynnhaven River in 1607. With increased public awareness and programs like S.O.S. for the Lynnhaven, we will make progress toward restoring oyster reefs to the Lynnhaven.