Scientists anticipate that the oyster reefs in San Diego Bay may produce an even more valuable treasure than pearls: protection against coastal erosion brought on by rising sea levels.
The artificial reefs that were placed in the water as part of a strategy to lessen damage in southern California are now home to thousands of the tiny mollusks.
"We look at numerous different ways to help combat sea-level rise, and these reef balls are one of the tools in our toolbox to do that," Eileen Maher, director of environmental conservation at the Port of San Diego, told AFP.
California, which accounts for a quarter of the world’s tomato output, is facing its worst crisis. Lack of adequate rainfall is forcing farmers to brace for a water crisis that’s undermining the crop cultivation.
As a result, the low production is having an impact on the prices of tomato-based products.
According to Bloomeberg, gains in tomato sauce and ketchup are overtaking the rise in US food inflation, which is at its highest in 43 years.