July 19, 2024Virginia Is For Oyster Lovers!

While Virginia Oyster Month might be in November Virginia Oyster Season is a year-round event! Virginia’s Oyster is regularly among the top ten species in annual landings for the state and in fact Virginia leads the East Coast in Oyster production! Raw Virginia Oysters were once thought to only be a cold weather treat, but thanks to modern improvements in shipping and refrigeration they can be enjoyed year-round. Virginia Oysters are filter feeders that have greatly improved water quality in Virginia waters and are incredibly important to the preservation of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Oysters filter the water and, in the process remove harmful nutrient pollutants like nitrogen, and phosphorus, improve water clarity, control algae, while attracting other sea life, one adult oyster can filter over 50 gallons of water a day!

Virginia Oysters can be traditionally harvested as well are raised in Aquaculture farms. Aquaculture farmers grow their shellfish from seedlings leading to more uniform yield results and appearances. Aquaculture farming is one of the reasons that Oysters are now available year-round in Virginia. The growth in Aquaculture farming has also helped with the reduction of pollution in Virginia waters and helped keep up supply so that Virginia’s native oyster population level is not depleted. The VMPB wants to show support to our Aquaculture Growers as well as our Commercial Watermen who keep fresh and local Virginia Oysters available year-round. While Virginia Oysters are famously associated with being eaten raw you can prepare them in a variety of delicious ways. You can steam, roast, or bake them. Remove them from the shell and fry in a breading, batter, or fritter. You can even prepare Virginia Oysters in a stew or as a stuffing for a holiday meal. Go to this link to our Fish Of The Day to learn more about Virginia Oysters!