The pearls of the commonwealth, Virginia-grown oysters are known for their variety, value and environmental impact.With over 40 million oysters sold each year since 2016, Virginia ranks No. 1 on the East Coast for oyster landings, according to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin proclaimed November as Virginia Oyster Month. The commonwealth is home to eight different oyster regions, each with its own taste, history and heritage, originally harvested by Native Americans and early colonists.
Once providing the indigenous peoples and pilgrims with limitless oysters, the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster beds fell into ruin by the 1980s from pollution, overharvesting and disease from a non-native microorganism. Virginia watermen, scientists, environmental agencies and federal officials kicked off efforts in the early 2000s to clean up the bay and reintroduce healthy oysters.
Worth over $32 million today, oysters held the second highest value of all Virginia seafood in 2022,...