As the demand for oysters continues to rise, new farmers are coming onto the bay. In 2009, there were six oyster farms. Today, there are 14. In 2021, 830,993 oysters were harvested in Great Bay, generating roughly $4.6 million in economic activity.

Since 2006, UNH has partnered with the Nature Conservancy, New Hampshire Fish and Game, NOAA, the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership and others to rebuild the oyster reef through the Oyster Conservationist (OC) Program, supported by help from local volunteers.

A new and growing challenge? Green crabs, an invasive species that eats baby oysters. UNH researchers are also studying ways to control the green crab population.