Billion Oyster Project

New Yorkers from all socio economic backgrounds consumed oysters, leading to a significant demand that necessitated conservation efforts. This insatiable demand prompted the implementation of a conservation law, "An act for preserving of Oysters," which prohibited harvesting from New York City oyster reefs during the spring and summer. This seasonal break allowed the wild oyster population to replenish itself, ensuring the sustainability of this vital resource.

Legislation passed in 1715 to promote the sustainable use of oyster reefs is suspended.

Sandy Ground, oldest continuously inhabited free Black settlement in the US, is founded by free African Americans shortly after the abolition of slavery in New York State. Many of the settlers, return from Maryland and Virginia on the oyster boats (sloops).

The oyster captains are looking for experienced workers to help maintain the oyster beds on Staten Island, and the oystermen are looking to work free of restrictive regulations. It’s the perfect fit that becomes instrumental in establishing the Oyster trade on Staten Island until the early 20th century.

The city starts systematically building sewers that connect to New York Harbor through a Combined Sewer Overflow system. This system, which is still in place today, regularly dumps raw, untreated sewage/pollutants into the harbor. by 1906 New York harbor is nearly lifeless due to pollution and overharvesting. It comes to be associated with filth and disease.

The last commercial Oyster bed in Raritan Bay in NYC closes due to overharvesting, pollution ( from New York City's Combined Sewer system), and a typhoid outbreak. 

The clean water act prohibits regular dumping of waste and raw sewage into the harbor.

For the first time in a century, whales return to NY harbor

Non-profit Billion Oyster Project is established working across the 5 boroughs to restore 1 Billion oysters to NY harbor by the year 2035.