Why didn’t the oyster have any friends?
Because he was shellfish.
That makes a cute joke, but the oyster actually has many friends. Friends like us who think it needs to be celebrated.
National Oyster Day takes place on August 5. This day commemorates the different types of oyster shellfish. Oysters have been eaten for thousands of years and are believed to have been one of the first living creatures. This delicacy can provide a different taste depending on where you get them and how they are prepared.
As tasty as this mollusk can be, that is not the main reason we celebrate this day. This occasion provides a way for others to gain awareness of the dangers of overexploitation. Not having restrictions while cultivating can destroy part of the ecosystem, as oysters play a key role by feeding off algae.
Since education is a factor in National Oyster Day, we have gathered up a few facts about the great oyster.
- Oysters are an amazing form of protein and a source of vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, iron, copper, phosphorus, niacin and riboflavin.
- Oysters change genders! They all start off as males, but many change to female by a year old.
- An oyster can filter 1.3 gallons of water through their gills each hour.
The Leave Only Footprints guidelines and principles help keep the waters clean. One of the many benefits of clean waters is that the oyster population continues to flourish.
Celebrate National Oyster Day by following the 7 principles of Leave No Trace and trying out some delicious oysters from a local seafood restaurant.