Scientists turn to the humble oyster to save California's coasts

Reef balls, made from a mixture of cement, sand and crushed oyster shells, form the South Bay Native Oyster Living Shoreline Project, are seen near the Chula Vista Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista, California. — Photos: AFP

There are no pearls growing on the oyster reefs in San Diego Bay, the United States, but scientists hope they will yield an even more valuable treasure: Protection against coastal erosion wrought by rising sea levels.

Thousands of the tiny molluscs have begun growing on the artificial reefs dropped in the bay as part of a plan to mitigate damage in California’s far south.