March 10, 2006 - Artificial Reef Program Initiates Oyster Reef Restoration Program

The St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program, in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas and the University of Florida Sea Grant, is collecting oyster shells for restoration of oyster reefs within the Indian River Lagoon. The Treasure Coast Oyster Shell Recycling Partnership collects oyster, clam and mussel shells from local raw bars and restaurants including Conchy Joes, New England Seafood Market, Mr. Manatees, 22 Fisherman's Wharf, The Original Tiki and The Ramp Raw Bar, similar to programs in other coastal states. The shell is used as substrate by oyster larvae, called "spat," to settle and grow into adult oysters. Oysters form oyster reefs or oyster "bars," which provide essential fish habitat inside the lagoon.

Spat collectors have been placed using collected shell in the Indian River Lagoon in the Fort Pierce area to test for the presence of oyster spawning. After oyster spawning is documented, oyster reef modules similar to those used by researchers at the University of Central Florida in the Mosquito Lagoon and at the Florida Gulf Coast University in the Caloosahatchee River and Estero Bay estuaries will be placed at the sites of spawning. These modules will be built, deployed and tested with the help of high school students and other volunteers.

After the oyster reef modules have been tested and an effective style is determined, larger scale oyster reef restoration will begin using remaining shells collected. Presently there are approximately five tons of oyster shells being quarantined to prevent the spread of marine parasites in the waters of the Indian River Lagoon.

For more information about the Artificial Reef Program or to learn about volunteering opportunities in oyster reef restoration, call the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program at (772) 462-1713 or the Florida Sea Grant office at (772) 462-1660.