Crassostrea ariakensis The Suminoe oyster (Magallana ariakensis), is a species of true oyster which inhabits intertidal hard grounds and substrate, as well as muddy creeks of warm estuaries throughout the western Pacific.

Similar to other oysters, Crassostrea ariakensis is a bivalve mollusk with a hard calcium-carbonaceous shell.

The native species to the Chesapeake Bay, Crassostrea virginica has declined in population over the past three centuries, prompting this consideration.

The states of Maryland and Virginia considered this introduction in hopes to revitalize the oyster industry and improve the water quality in the Bay.

A proposal was made by Maryland and Virginia, which in turn led to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA, the Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S.