The recycled shell will be used for restoration projects addressing coastal erosion and water quality in Seal Beach and Long Beach.
LOS ANGELES, CA – This past weekend, Orange County Coastkeeper (Coastkeeper) collected 724 pounds of discarded oyster shells at the DTLA Oyster Festival, an annual event showcasing international oyster cuisine. These reclaimed shells will undergo a natural curing process for a year, after which they’ll be repurposed for native oyster restoration projects in Long Beach and Seal Beach to help combat coastal erosion, habitat loss, and water quality issues.
Coastkeeper is grateful to the festival’s organizers, The Oyster Gourmet and Grand Central Market, for their invitation to participate in this year’s event. Coastkeeper staff hosted an educational booth to engage festival attendees on oyster restoration, sharing insights on how discarded shells can contribute to healthier shorelines.
Hosted every autumn, the DTLA Oyster Festival is a two-day culinary celebration near The Oyster Gourmet bar in Grand Central Market. Its mission is to bring together oyster farmers and enthusiasts, offering a unique opportunity to celebrate all things oyster. Founded in 2015 by Christophe Happillon, Los Angeles’ only Maitre Écailler (Shellfish Master) and owner of The Oyster Gourmet, the festival returned in 2024 after a five-year hiatus.
“We were excited to bring The DTLA Oyster Festival back after several years and to collaborate with OC Coastkeeper to support their mission,” stated Happillon. “We look forward to continuing our support of the organization and the great things they do to support coastal ecosystems and local communities.”
This partnership is an extension of Coastkeeper’s Shells for Shorelines program, which recycles oyster shells donated by restaurants for native oyster restoration in Southern California. This initiative helps reduce food waste, lower program costs, and engage the local community in marine science projects.
“Southern California’s oyster population has rapidly declined from overharvesting, coastal development, and threats to water quality. This is a significant concern for our region, as oysters play a crucial role in maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems,” said Kaysha Kenney, marine restoration director at Orange County Coastkeeper. “By restoring Olympia oysters, California’s only native oyster species, we can take meaningful steps to improve water quality, buffer against rising sea levels, stabilize shorelines, and create essential habitats that benefit fish, wildlife, and coastal communities alike.”
For more information on Coastkeeper’s oyster and eelgrass restoration projects, visit coastkeeper.org and learn how you can support the health of Southern California’s waters.
