http://7online.com/pets/oysters-thriving-former-hudson-river-wasteland/322734/
Oysters are thriving in what was the wasteland of the Hudson at Pier 40.
Michelle Charlesworth visits the oyster bed hotbed.
NEW YORK (WABC) --
Oysters are thriving in what was the wasteland of the Hudson at Pier 40. "We're seeing a population increase. They are growing and growing, and their mortality rates are low," said Chris Anderson, a marine biologist of the River Project.
He said oysters are coming back and they are an indicator species. "They indicate the health (of the) ecosystem ... and that means the water is pretty healthy," he said.
Anderson SCUBA dives in the Hudson once a week, carefully mapping individual oysters. Last week, he found the biggest oyster he's measured in six years.
"If we're finding big oysters, we hope to find other big oysters in the several months to come," he said.
The concrete that crumbled from these piers and fell to the bed of the river created the perfect spot for an oyster nursery.
It's also great for fisheries, and more fish has meant whales are coming the area to feed. The wildlife conservation society recorded a humpback 6 miles from New York City.
Earlier this year, a company called "Plus Pool" announced plans to put swimming pools in the river because the water is as clean as the beaches.
Anderson said things are getting better, and although the water is not perfect, the tide has shifted.
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