Oyster Reefs Could Add $12 Trillion Annually to Planetary Health

Oyster reefs provide essential ecosystem services, ranging from water filtration to coastal protection and biodiversity support. By quantifying these benefits through GEP, the study demonstrates that investing in reef restoration is not just an environmental necessity but a massive economic opportunity.

Realizing this $12 trillion value requires a shift in how we manage marine resources. Policymakers and conservationists must prioritize the protection of existing reefs and the active restoration of degraded habitats to secure these benefits for future generations.