Oregon wants to protect eelgrass. But the state isn’t stopping mechanical oyster harvesting from ripping it up on public lands

Older, “legacy” oyster leases have allowed farmers to conduct commercial activity on Oregon’s public land – in perpetuity – without any environmental restrictions.

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Eelgrass – a humble but critical part of a healthy estuary ­– faces threats across the globe from development, pollution and warming oceans. But in Tillamook Bay, state wildlife officials and fishermen say Pacific Seafood operators are raking up eelgrass through mechanical oyster farming..