Oyster Catch May Be Limited

A federal agency is investigating whether the popular Eastern oyster should be protected as an endangered species, a designation that could severely limit the local catch.

The National Marine Fisheries Service began an investigation after an environmental consultant said overfishing, lost habitats and disease had taken the Eastern oyster to the brink of extinction.

W. Dieter Busch of Ecosystem Initiatives Advisory Services in Maryland cited federal oyster data that showed that annual landings along the Atlantic coast had declined to less than 2% of their historical amounts.

Fisheries service spokeswoman Teri Frady said the agency was assembling a panel of experts to study the issue. The NMFS must make a decision on the oysters’ status by January.

If the agency decides the Eastern, or American, oyster is endangered, shellfishermen from Maine to Louisiana could be prohibited from harvesting it. The agency can also take less restrictive measures, such as lowering harvesting limits.

Eastern oysters are one of the most profitable varieties in the region. In 2003, they generated more than $1.2 million in revenue for Cape Cod and surrounding islands, more than any other shellfish species.

The possible endangered-species listing comes after one of the worst red tide outbreaks in New England’s history. The toxic algae outbreak shut down many shellfish beds for much of June and part of July, and cost the shellfish industry an estimated $3 million each week.

On Wednesday, the state Legislature passed a resolution objecting to the endangered-species listing for the oyster.

“Including the American oyster on the endangered species list would come as another major setback,” state Sen. Robert O’Leary said.