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 of Mexico (Gulf Coast) region and the Chesapeake Bay region, historically accounts for roughly 75 percent of total U.S. harvests. The Gulf Coast region, principally Louisiana, generally leads in oyster production. The Pacific region, principally the state of Washington, follows closely, and the Chesapeake region, principally Maryland, ranks third.  July 2008 . . . Oysters

Marketing

• Aquaculture (Domestic Production and International Trade Information), FSAonline, USDA.
• 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.
• Bivalves Commodity Update, Globefish, FAO, 2007.   
• Census of Aquaculture (2005), USDA, 2006.
• Economic Benefits of Connecticut’s Oyster Farming Industry, Connecticut Department of Agriculture, 2006. 
• Imports and Exports of Fishery Products: Annual Summary, Fisheries Statistics Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 2007. 
• NOAA Fisheries, Office of Science and Technology, Fisheries Statistics Division, Foreign Trade Information - Integrates and disseminates state and federal statistics about marine fisheries.
• Oyster Market Report, Globefish, FAO, May 2008.

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.