Overview 

The United States produces two major species of oysters, including Crassostrea virginica (Atlantic oyster or Eastern oyster) and the non-native Crassostrea gigas (Pacific oyster). The Eastern oyster, found in both the Gulf Coast region and the Chesapeake Bay region, historically accounts for roughly 75 percent of total U.S. harvests. The Gulf of Mexico region, principally Louisiana, generally leads in oyster production followed closely by the Pacific region, principally Washington state. The Chesapeake region, principally Massachusetts, ranks third.  May 2007 . . . Oysters

Marketing

• Aquaculture Network Information Center (AquaNIC) - This Web site increases the quantity and quality of electronic information available to the aquaculture industry.
• Aquaculture Outlook, Economic Research Service, USDA.
• Census of Aquaculture (2005), USDA, 2006.
• NOAA Fisheries, Office of Science and Technology, Fisheries Statistics Division, Foreign Trade Information - Integrates and disseminates state and federal statistics about marine fisheries.
• Economic Benefits of Connecticut’s Oyster Farming Industry, Connecticut Department of Agriculture, 2006. 

Production

• Cultivating the Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea virginica, Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, 2001. 
• Oyster Gardening, University of Maryland - This Web site provides basic information on setting up and maintaining oysters in the best manner.  
• Oyster Farming in Louisiana, Louisiana Sea Grant College Program, Louisiana State University.

 Businesses/Case Studies

• Pacific oysters hit peak in Marin, San Francisco Chronicle, 2005 - Interview with owner/founder of small wholesale mariculture company that markets about 500 bushels of oysters a week. 
• Washington State Oyster Culture, University of Washington, 2002. 

Links checked February 2008.