Shellfishing - Experimental Oyster Reefs

Experimental Oyster Reefs

I watched an interesting video on a proposal for an oyster-tecture seascape that employs a suspended artificial reef for oyster development and which provides the added feature of attenuating the effect of waves on shoreline erosion.  The oyster-tecture project was also featured in the New York Times.

Here's a link to the video: http://scapestudio.com/news/see-yourself-oyster-tecture-mystery-revealed/?pa

In addition to the oyster-tecture program, the following article and embedded links discuss experimental oyster reefs being developed in New York.  The following article was found on a blog called: NYC Transported - Exploring New York City and its Waterfront.  The article is titled: Oyster Restoration in New York City and New Jersey – A Multimedia Guide

Here's a link to the full article: http://nyctransported.com/2011/01/oyster-restoration-new-york-city-and-new-jersey/

Here is a portion of the article and embedded links: Oyster Restoration in New York City and New Jersey – A Multimedia Guide - By Doug Fox– January 27, 2011 

With dramatic improvements in water quality, however, it has become possible to launch restoration projects to determine the practicality of reintroducing and sustaining oysters and oyster reefs. A number of organizations have been conducting experiments with oyster gardening, pilot reef construction and scientific research since the 1990s. Explore the projects of NY/NJ Baykeeper to learn about their efforts to restore oyster beds.

And, most recently, the following organizations have been partnering in an oyster restoration feasibility study:

- Bronx River Alliance
- Hudson River Foundation
- New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources Group
- New York/New Jersey Baykeeper
- New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program
- Rocking the Boat
- The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – New York District

This study consists of the construction of six experimental oyster reefs throughout the New York harbor and up the estuary to Hastings, New York. The reefs are approximately fifteen feet by thirty feet and are intended to replicate natural reefs as much as possible.