By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-978122.mp3
New Orleans, La. – Some Mississippi oyster beds are reportedly 95 percent dead. Fresh river water was diverted through Lake Pontchartrain north of New Orleans this spring to ease pressure on levees protecting the city. Oysters are a stationary species, unable to get out of the way of the unwanted fresh water. The BP spill decimated demand from consumers worried the crop was covered in oil. Oyster reefs were torn apart by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and producers were hoping this year would be an improvement. Louisiana oyster beds fared a bit better after officials allowed them to be moved out of the river water's path.
For WWNO, I'm Eileen Fleming.