Restoring Oyster Reefs in Naples Bay
A new oyster reef restoration project involving restoring 5 acres of oyster reef habitat in Naples Bay. Over the past few decades, oyster reefs in Naples Bay have experienced an 80% decline due to urbanization and channelization. This oyster reef restoration project aims to place oyster habitat substrate (concrete, limestone rock, and shell) at three sites in Naples Bay to provide habitat for oyster colonization. Our most recent efforts have eliminated the use of plastic material in the restoration process. Check out the paper attached below discussing the use of non-plastic materials for oyster reef and shoreline restoration.
The goals of this project are to:
- Restore a portion of the oyster reef community
- Improve shoreline resiliency through protection from storm and wake surge
- Improve water quality through restoration of filter-feeders
- Restore other ecological components (e.g. fish and invertebrate populations)
- Increase community awareness of the benefits and ecosystem services provided by living shorelines
This project was made possible through funding by:
- The City of Naples
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Restoration Center, Office of Habitat Conservation, Coastal Resilience Grant Program award #59-6000382 ($484,244)
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Coastal Management Program with a grant from the NOAA Office for Coastal Management awarded under the Coastal Zone Management Act; DEP Agreement No. CM820 ($30,000)
- Community volunteers and donors, including local residents and businesses, Naples Chapter Coastal Conservation Association of Florida (CCA Florida)
