ORP is pleased to announce plans for National Oyster Week from August 1-6, 2023. Seafood lovers can get involved during National Oyster Week by frequenting their favorite shell-recycling restaurants throughout the DMV in support of its mission to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its native oyster population. Maryland’s Best Seafood and Jim and Janice Perdue are gracious sponsors of the week.
ORP relies on Shell Recycling Alliance member restaurants to provide shells critical for Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration efforts. Eating and recycling oyster shells leads to more oysters returned to the Bay, home of many delicious species. Patrons can show appreciation to Bay-friendly businesses by dining at shell recycling restaurants all throughout National Oyster Weekend.
More than 50 local Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC restaurants will be participating. Patrons are encouraged to visit the National Oyster Week webpage or the Facebook event page to see all participating businesses and the promotions they will be offering. In addition, there will be oyster-themed events throughout the week, including a “Dancing Molly” new oyster collab launch party on Tuesday, August 1 at The Salt Line, two Shuck Like a Pro events on Friday, August 4 at the District Fishwife, and a National Oyster Day celebration on Saturday, August 5, at Guinness Open Gate Brewery.
“This year we are extending the celebrations of all things oyster with a nearly weeklong celebration. It is our hope that this National Oyster Week promotes the importance of oyster shell recycling, and encourages the community to indulge in some of the best seafood in our country,” said Paul Schurick, Director of ORP partnerships. “By dining in one of the restaurants, attending an event or preparing your own oysters at home, you are supporting the Shell Recycling Alliance, you’re helping to restore the Chesapeake Bay, one shuck at a time.”
Founded in 1994, Oyster Recovery Partnership is the Annapolis- based, nonprofit expert in Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration. Through the support of major partners, ORP has planted more than 10 billion oysters on 3,000 acres of reef. They are also the home to the Shell Recycling Alliance, the nation’s largest shell recycling network, annually recycling more than 30,000 bushels of oyster shells from a network of 200 restaurants and 70 public drop sites in the mid-Atlantic region.
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