In 1898, Chesapeake Bay was full of oyster, now 99% are gone
The Chesapeake Bay has lost 99% of its native oyster population since 1898 due to overharvesting, pollution, and habitat loss. A historical specimen of an oyster attached to a set of dentures serves as a reminder of the bay's once-thriving ecosystem.
Why it matters
The collapse of the oyster population illustrates the severe long-term impact of human activity on coastal ecosystems and the loss of natural water-filtration services.
In 1898, a dredging boat pulling debris from the floor of the Chesapeake Bay made a discovery that looked like something from a biological nightmare: a set of human dentures with a live oyster firmly attached to them.The unusual specimen was sent to the Smithsonian Institution, where it has remained ever since, serving as a reminder of a very different time. When those false teeth fell into the water, the Chesapeake Bay held so many oysters that they attached themselves to almost any hard surface to survive. According to the Smithsonian, more than 99 per cent of the historic native oyster population has disappeared from the bay.The decline of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is one of the most severe environmental collapses in American ecological history.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in