This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

Did you know that oysters are an important part of coastal ecosystems? As they filter water for food such as algae, they also help to clarify the water. An adult oyster can filter more than 30 gallons a day — that’s a lot of clean water! Also, because oysters live together in reefs, they provide valuable habitat for the many kinds of marine life that live among them. Oysters, which are a type of bivalve shellfish, are also great for us land-dwellers! When eaten, oysters have a delicious, salty taste unique to their local environment. Now is the best time of the year to buy them fresh from the market. Look for shells that appear moist and are tightly closed. The shell should be well cupped, a sign that the oyster inside is plump and ready for you to take home and enjoy. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.