Last Oyster eaten in NYC

Harvesting of oysters in New York Harbor continued until the turn of the last century, with over a billion oysters being taken annually, leading to unsustainable practices. However, over-harvesting was not the sole factor contributing to the decline of oysters. The natural habitat of oyster beds along the Manhattan shoreline was significantly altered by extensive landfill projects and the construction of numerous piers and pylons. Furthermore, until the 1970s, New York City was discharging millions of gallons of untreated sewage into its waterways daily, severely degrading water quality and further contributing to the demise of the oyster population.