Oyster reef restoration
Environmental changes, modern fishing practices,[1] over harvesting,[2] water pollution, and other factors, have resulted in damage, disease, and ultimately, a large decline in global population and prevalence of oyster habitats.
Not only do oyster reefs provide a safe nursery to valuable species but they also improved the oceans water quality substantially through a process called filter feeding.
[10] However, the majority of oyster populations have greatly declined within the last century due to over-harvesting, dredging, increased sedimentation, invasive species, pollution and disease.
Once the location is determined for new oyster reefs to form cultch—fossilized shell, coral or other similar materials produced by living organisms designed to provide points of attachment for oysters—is often obtained from sustainable recycling programs.
[6] Additionally the NOAA has re-enhanced shoreline stability by building a linear reef to provide protection for not only other marine life but the oyster beds as well.
[4][21] Oysters not only clean the water, but also act as effective shoreline buffers[4] by dissipating the energy caused by boat wakes and waves.
[4] Dr. Paul Zimba, Director of the Center for Coastal Studies at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi said, "Oysters are an important ecological and economic resource.
They create habitats for fish and shellfish, filter and clean bay waters, protect shorelines from erosion, and are a valued commercial fishery element.
The poor water quality has not only impacted the viability of oyster reefs but also effected the coastwise movement within Florida's Big Bend region.
The second part of the project was analyzing whether or not these two materials were durable enough to sustain or improve the oyster reef population in the Big Bend area.
The lime rock boulder was lined with 1.4 m squared clam bags that was collected from local agriculture organization in Cedar Keys Florida.
The Pilot Project analyzed the four restoration sites through the usage of time lapse trail cameras and evaluated the oysters size and density.
The restoration project increased the oyster reefs in Florida by covering 16 cm more of the ocean floor, while also decreasing the salinity level.
[38] The Pilot Project in Florida also played a role as a shoreline armor because one of the many ecosystem benefits oyster reefs provide is reduction of storm surge and wave impacts.
[39] As of September 2016, the Environmental Protection Department of New York City has added nearly 50,000 adult oysters to Jamaica Bay, Long Island.
[40] By inducing a self-sustaining oyster population into Jamaica Bay, potential benefits include: "improving water quality, protecting the shoreline from erosion and reviving habitats for fish and wildlife".
Some of the challenges the urban oyster beds in the Hudson River face include deficient bottom substrate due to past sediment removal and dredging in the harbor estuary, toxic contaminants, combined sewage overflow (CSO), and diseases.
Additionally, the oysters in the NY/NJ Harbor primarily live in subtidal environments which limits restoration sites and makes the reefs more susceptible to predators.
[44] Along Staten Island's southern shore, the project Living Breakwaters has been funded by the New York State Governor's Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR) and the U.S. Department of.
The project aims to "reduce coastal risk, create and restore essential marine habitat, and build social resilience through the design and construction of new breakwater structures.
[46] Based on computer and physical modeling, the system of breakwaters are "designed to reduce waves reaching on-shore buildings and roads to below 3 feet in height in the event of a 100-year storm assuming up to 18 inches of sea level rise."
Through hydrodynamic modeling, the project has shown that the breakwaters will increase coastal resiliency even if the structures are completely submerged due to sea level rise.
Due to such restrictions, most restoration activities helmed by the NY/NJ Baykeeper are located at the Naval Weapons Station Earle, which is closed to the public.
The Nature Conservancy makes the argument for continued investment in these projects as current oyster growth and survival rates are inadequate to maintain a self-sustaining population.
Educational workshops teach volunteers how to measure water quality and give information on oyster gardening techniques as well as necessary tools and materials.
By engaging the community in oyster reef restoration and showing the public the effects this project has on the river, they hope that it would lead to generational protection of the waterways and environments.
Along the southern coast of England, the Solent is a strait separating the mainland from the Isle of Wight and is home to a large oyster (Ostrea edulis) population that has been historically present.
[63] BLUE hopes to expand into restoring and reconnecting oyster reefs with saltmarshes and seagrass ecosystems that were historically present in the Solent.
[64] DEEP is a collaborative effort between Glenmorangie Distillery who provides funding, Heriot-Watt University who conducts field research and the Marine Conservation Society who educated the community to spread awareness and support'.
Factors such as pathology, genetics, and diseases can be different across various areas, therefore, FOREVER customizes each conservation and restoration plan after studying these variables.
