It's a tough life for a newly hatched oyster. Shellfish have 48 hours after hatching to form a shell, or they die.
And current ocean conditions make it harder for the shellfish larvae to make shells.
Ocean researchers including George Waldbusserat Oregon State just studied the factors.
The increasing acidity of the oceans is one, but there are others to take into account.
Dr. Waldbusser joins us with explanations.