North Carolina's oyster farming has surged about 500% over the last decade and now contributes more than $24 million to the state economy. Oyster farmers are hosting the inaugural Rawleigh Oyster Fest this Saturday at Smoky Hollow in downtown Raleigh to raise funds for the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s reef restoration effort, which will place concrete reef structures to restore habitat and improve water quality. The ticketed festival opens at 1 p.m., with local chefs serving dishes made from NC-grown oysters.
Rawleigh Oyster Fest Kicks Off as NC Oyster Farmers Raise Funds to Rebuild Coastal Reefs
North Carolina's oyster farming has surged about 500% over the last decade and now contributes more than $24 million to the state economy. Oyster farmers are hosting the inaugural Rawleigh Oyster Fest this Saturday at Smoky Hollow in downtown Raleigh to raise funds for the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s reef restoration effort, which will place concrete reef structures to restore habitat and improve water quality. The ticketed festival opens at 1 p.m., with local chefs serving dishes made from NC-grown oysters.
18:27, 07.11.2025Environment
Oyster farmers rally to restore North Carolina's reefs
North Carolina's oyster industry is enjoying a strong comeback: research indicates farmed oyster production has risen roughly 500% over the past decade, and the sector now contributes more than $24 million to the state economy.
Scientists and conservation groups are leading efforts to rebuild the state's historic oyster reefs, which were depleted by overharvesting and habitat loss. A collective of oyster farmers is organizing a fundraiser to support the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s project to place concrete reef structures that will help oysters reestablish, improve water quality and rebuild coastal ecosystems.
Event details: The inaugural Rawleigh Oyster Fest takes place Saturday in downtown Raleigh’s Smoky Hollow neighborhood. This is a ticketed festival that opens at 1 p.m., where local chefs will feature North Carolina-grown oysters in a variety of dishes for attendees to sample.
“The wild oyster population has just been depleted and kind of just not done well in the past,” said oyster farmer Ed Mera, who divides his time between Raleigh and Carteret County. “These restoration efforts will help rebuild the reefs in North Carolina, clean up the water and rebuild ecosystems.”
Proceeds from the festival will benefit reef-building projects and other conservation work aimed at restoring shellfish habitat and the wide-ranging ecological benefits oysters provide, including water filtration and habitat for other marine life.