Oysters, mussels and clams are great natural filters!

Did you know that oysters can clean up to 200 litres (50 gallons) of water per day? Clams, mussels, and oysters are bivalves and members of the invertebrate mollusc family. They differ from other molluscs, such as octopus, because they are sessile (immobile) and plant-like in the way they filter nutrients from the water around them and do not require feeding.

Bivalves can filter up to 50 gallons (about 200 litres) of water each day. They absorb CO2 and nitrogen in the water and capture it in their shells. By doing this, they help keeping the seawater balanced and help other species thrive around them.

But there are other reasons why oysters are great for the environment

Oysters form natural reefs in the wild, protecting coastlines from storm surge damage and erosion and providing a habitat for other species.

Are oysters, mussels, and clams vegan?

Technically, no. However, because they are sessile (immobile) and plant-like in the way they filter nutrients from the water around them and do not require feeding, many argue they are probably the most sustainable seafood there is.

Did you know that more than half of the oxygen in the planet comes from the ocean? Read our article about this.