NC Oyster farmers raising funds to benefit state's reefs
NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) -- North Carolina's oyster industry is experiencing a resurgence.
Research finds it has grown by 500% in a decade and the latest statistics finds that the industry contributes more than $24 million to our state's economy.
Scientists are working to rebuild North Carolina's reefs and a group of oyster farmers are trying to support the effort.
There will be a fundraiser this weekend to benefit the North Carolina Coastal Federation, which is trying to build a concrete structure that will help oysters once again thrive in our state.
Oyster farmer Ed Mera splits his time between Raleigh and Carteret County.
He says North Carolina's reefs were overfished.
"The wild oyster population has just been depleted and kind of just not done well in the past," said Mera. "So they're going to help rebuild the reefs in North Carolina and help clean up the water, build the ecosystems."
The Rawleigh Oyster Fest is holding its inaugural event Saturday in downtown Raleigh at Smoky Hollow. It is a ticketed event and the event starts at 1 p.m.
Local chefs will be using North Carolina-grown oysters and making different dishes for people to sample.
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