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The issue
Beck et. al (2011) estimates that 85% of oyster reefs have been lost globally. In Australia Beck et. al estimated that 99% of oyster reefs are functionally extinct.
Depleted natural oyster reef, North Creek Ballina NSW (image courtesy Pat Dwyer)
Overharvesting, poor water quality and sedimentation as a result of catchment clearance, urbanisation and industrial pollution and diseases have negatively impacted on natural oyster reefs and hindered their ability to regenerate.
A single oyster has been measured as filtering 163 litres of water a day (Riisgard 1988). Imagine the effect millions of oysters as part of a reef could achieve! Thanks to the Florida Oceanographic Society, watch oysters filtering a tank of water here and here.
Oysters filtering muddy water (left): Florida Oceanographic Society and algae walter (right): Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole
Oyster reefs wouldn’t only improve water quality, but they provide habitat for other invertebrates, and fish and can also protect shorelines from erosion.
Oyster reef restoration projects have been undertaken with great success overseas, particularly in the USA.
Oyster reef restoration in USA – North Carolina Beakon Island
In Australia, projects to reinstate this lost habitat type are occurring in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia thanks to groups like The Nature Conservency, OceanWatch Australia and NSW Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries).
Oceanwatch Australia "Living Shorelines" project
Back to Fish Friendly Marine Infrastructure
Organisation | NSW Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries) |
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Contact | Scott Nichols ph:(02) 6626 1396 e: [email protected] |
Funding Body | NSW Environmental Trust |
References
Resources
Sheehan, M. Oceans and Coasts - Shellfish reefs at risk (webpage article):
Shellfish reef restoration - a community of restoration practitioners, researchers, educators and general shellfish enthusiasts that are raising awareness and advocating for shellfish reef restoration in Australia.
https://www.shellfishrestoration.org.au/
Sydney Harbour OceanWatch project
TNC in Port Phillip Bay and elsewhere
http://www.natureaustralia.org.au/2014/08/melbournes-lost-reefs/
https://www.nature.org/photos-and-video/video/australia-port-phillip-bay-reef-restoration-video
http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2016/s4457955.htm
Oyster reef restoration in Moreton Bay managed by Healthy Land and Water (Qld):
http://hlw.org.au/initiatives/shellfish-reef-restoration-sad-14644
http://restorepumicestonepassage.org/
https://research.jcu.edu.au/tropwater/research-programs/coastal-estuarine-ecology/shellfish-reef-protection-and-repair/shellfish-restoration-in-australia/
WA project
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-06/ambitious-shellfish-reef-project-begins-off-albany/7386172
SA project
http://pir.sa.gov.au/fishing/community_engagement/habitat_enhancement
http://pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/289594/FAQ_YP_Shellfish_reef_FINAL_March_2017.pdf
ABC News story “Last known native oyster reef provides blueprint for reef restoration project”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-06/angasi-oyster-reef-research-restoration/7068628
USA – Chesapeake Bay
http://www.cbf.org/about-the-bay/more-than-just-the-bay/creatures-of-the-chesapeake/eastern-oyster
https://chesapeakebay.noaa.gov/oysters/oyster-reefs
USA - Swan Island Oyster Sanctuary 2017 — Part of the Senator Jean Preston Oyster Sanctuary Network
USA - Living Shorelines Academy
https://www.livingshorelinesacademy.org/
North Carolina Coastal Federation