Olympia Oyster – Oregon Conservation Strategy

Overview

Species Common Name Olympia Oyster
Species Scientific Name Ostrea lurida

Ecoregions

Nearshore

The Nearshore ecoregion includes a variety of habitats ranging from submerged high-relief rocky reefs to broad expanses of intertidal mudflats in estuaries and hosts a vast array of fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, birds, plants, and micro-organisms. This ecoregion encompasses the area from the outer boundary of Oregon’s Territorial Sea to the supra-tidal zone, and up into the estuaries.

Special needs

Olympia oysters occur only in areas with firm, rocky substrate. In Oregon, they are found primarily in subtidal habitat in three estuaries.

Limiting factors

Habitat availability, namely suitable substrate for larval settlement, may limit recovery of Olympia oysters.

Data gaps

Assess spatial distribution and abundance.

Conservation actions

Monitor status of populations at index sites. Gather information to fill data gaps.