Brevard Zoo, Melbourne Florida
Oysters:
One Selfless Shellfish
The
oyster restoration project is as unique and diverse as the estuary it works to
restore. The Indian River Lagoon is the most biologically diverse estuary
in the continental United States with over 4,000 plant and animal species
considering it home. This treasure exists right here in our own back
yards and needs our help!
Why
oysters?! Oysters are filter feeders that improve water quality and
clarity by filtering water –one oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a
day! Oysters are also a food source and provide habitat for many species of
fish, birds, and invertebrates, and oyster reefs stabilize and protect
shorelines. But, oysters face a number of threats including overharvesting,
habitat degradation, reduced water quality, disease, and boat wakes.
The
Oyster Reef Restoration Project was started in 2005 by Dr. Linda Walters of the
University of Central Florida and now includes Brevard Zoo and many community
partners. The oyster mats—constructed from mesh and oyster shells—are placed in
the Indian River Lagoon to provide a natural substrate for oyster larvae to
settle. Results show that the oyster mat restoration technique as very
successful - after one year in the water, an average of 93 new oysters settled
on each mat!
This
project is a community based restoration project, which means that without the
help of our friends and neighbors we can’t save our lagoon. Thanks to
approximately 36,000 volunteers since the project started, together with the
project partners, we constructed more than 35,000 oyster restoration mats to
restore 61 reefs in Mosquito Lagoon.
The
project is recognized in schools, parks, and even in the lagoon by boaters as a
community project that is working to save these selfless shellfish. If the
oyster population becomes stabilized, it will mean a cleaner, clearer, less
eroded lagoon with an abundance of habitats for 149 species. All of these
goals are possible, with the help of community volunteers eager to help.
Contact
Project Coordinator Jody Palmer at JPalmer@BrevardZoo.org to learn more or just
stay tuned to the ZACC blog for exciting updates on the project!
Be
sure to check your community for a shellfish restoration project as there are
many great efforts happening all over the globe. If nothing else, be sure
to recycle your oyster shells by returning them to your local bay or estuary
where they can be a habitat for lots of little friends in need!
Keep
on shuckin’!!
Jody
Palmer
Brevard
Zoo
Oyster
Restoration Project Coordinator
8225
N. Wickham Rd.
Melbourne,
FL 32940
321.254.9453
ext. 265
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