The Squaxin Island Tribe of Washington is hoping to restore the Olympia oyster to its former glory.

Tribal members ate Olympias nearly every day. They were also used as currency with other tribes.

But the oysters began to decline in the late 1800s with the arrival of non-Indians. Tribal members blamed pollution. Another species, the Pacific oyster, was then introduced to the region.

Recently, the tribe began an effort to bring back the Olympia. In 2002 and 2003, the tribe planted 155,000 oyster seeds on three beaches. The oysters spawned successfully.

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Tribe celebrates Olympia oyster's rebound (AP 9/7)