increase font size Pandemic-hit oyster farmers in Maine take part in oyster conservation program The program, known as Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration or SOAR, is buying more than 5 million oysters to restore shellfish reefs at 20 locations. By MICHAEL CASEYAssociated Press Share DURHAM, N.H. — When the pandemic struck last year, oyster farmer Chris Bertis soon realized the restaurants that bought his oysters had mostly closed. Without a new market, his Ferda Farms faced potential economic ruin. Then, Bertis heard The Nature Conservancy in partnership with The Pew Charitable Trusts was buying millions of bivalves around the country for rebuilding decimated oyster reefs — and he quickly joined the effort.