BROOKLYN NAVY YARD — More than 2,000 bivalve lovers and environmentally conscious spectators of all ages came together for a worthy cause and a significant occasion the evening of Sept. 25. 

The Billion Oyster Project (BOP), a New York City-based nonprofit organization, with the goal of restoring oyster reefs to New York Harbor in collaboration with New York City communities, celebrated its tenth year of existence with a larger than life soiree at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. 

The organization is hoping to restore one billion oysters by 2035.

Dubbed the “Billion Oyster Party,” the four-and-a-half hour event featured freshly-shucked oysters from more than 40 oyster farms across the country. Thousands of guests feasted on unlimited oysters and learned about oyster culture and restoration inside the mammoth facility.  

There was also an outdoor area where one could indulge in the quality oysters while overlooking the New York Harbor and the iconic New York City skyline. The event also featured an all-star shucking competition. 

120 million and counting

Carolyn Khoury, director of restoration at the BOP, described the Billion Oyster Party as more than just an annual fundraiser.

“We bring board members, community members, volunteers, partners and public support to celebrate the work that we are doing to restore oysters through public education initiatives,” Khoury said. “We are a city of islands, and people need to be involved in its restoration for it to succeed.” 

Khoury explained that the end game for tonight is to have people leaving feeling hopeful that achieving large scale restorations of oysters in the harbor and increasing access to the waterfront for community members is possible.

“So far, we have restored over 120 million oysters to the estuary,” Khoury said. “Of course, the goal is one billion by 2035, and we are learning a ton every year on how to do this the most effective way.” 

Incidentally, oysters serve as a natural water filter, with a number of beneficial effects for the ecosystem. The reefs they form increase habitat and subsequent marine biodiversity levels and help protect the city’s shorelines from storm surges.

From a monetary perspective, Khoury said that her ultimate goal at the Billion Oyster Party would be to raise “hundreds of thousands of dollars.” All proceeds will directly support BOP’s restoration and education work.

“The largest urban marine restoration project ever”

Murray Fisher, co-founder of the BOP, said, “From a community perspective, tonight’s party and fundraiser is significant because it’s so important to elevate our [oyster] farmers and our waterfront maritime workforce.”

“Also from a restoration perspective, if you put one billion oysters in New York Harbor, it will be the largest urban marine restoration project ever,” Fisher continued. “Restoring the natural world and creating connections to the natural world is not some onerous thing. It’s delightful work to engage in together.”

Fisher added that what BOP’s mission does is build a constituency for people that care about New York Harbor.

“We want the marine ecosystem to be a headline every day,” he said.  

Also in attendance at the shindig was Brian Owens, co-founder of Crave Fishbar, New York City’s first 100% sustainable seafood restaurant, and Crave Sushi Bar.  

“I take the environment very seriously,” he said. “I first learned about recycling oyster shells when I was on vacation in Charleston, and when I came back to New York, I discovered the Billion Oyster Project and reached out to them. To date, we’ve recycled almost four million oysters working together.”

Celebrity sighting

Apparently, celebrities are fond of oysters, too. Legendary comedian, actor and native New Yorker Chevy Chase was spotted at the Billion Oyster Party, and spoke to the Brooklyn Eagle about the BOP, as well as his thoughts on the environment. 

“My wife, Jayni, turned me on to the Billion Oyster Project,” Chase said. “She is very much a part of it.” 

Chase also noted he is indeed very environmentally conscious himself. 

“I’ve been that way since I grew up in Woodstock — for quite a long time,” he said. “It’s just wonderful to be out here today, on a great night, in support of a really good cause.”