A little bit about the reserve and the importance of oyster reefs

Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve

Shannon and I with the bagged Oyster

According the the Friends of the GTM Reserve, "The Guana Peninsula along the Tolomato River has provided sufficient habitat for the eastern oyster,Crassostrea virginica, in the past." However, we have seen a decline in the abundance and density of oyster reefs in the area over the past few years by such anthropogenic means of over-harvesting, water pollution, increased river traffic, dredging, development of coastal zones, and climate change. This has caused erosion of the shoreline and a decline in vegetation. That being said, work has been done to try and restore some of the coastline and reduce shoreline erosion through the introduction of artificial oyster reefs. These reefs are made from recycled oysters from local restaurants. At the GTM NERR, over 1000 feet of shoreline has been restored. Some of these restoration techniques can be seen in this video by the reserve. In restoring these shorelines, they hope to successfully restore 0.76 acres of degraded saltmarsh habitat, .071 acres of oyster habitat and 1.16 acres of benthic habitat.

This is where we come in. 

Not only did we help out during an oyster bagging event, but we also started a 2-year regimen of testing the restored site for increased biodiversity both within the reef itself but also the sediment and shoreline surrounding. We also hope to see a decline of shoreline degradation and erosion. The Nature Conservancy actually does a fantastic job at explaining the purpose of these amazing oyster reefs as well as documenting some of the oyster reef restorations within the southeastern United States. Thet outline the problems faced with the degradation of the natural habitats, the amount of loss (nearly %80 worldwide) and what is being done to reverse this travesty. 

Oyster Reef Restoration: The American Southeast

The Amazing Oyster Reef

Everyone with the Oysters!