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COASTAL WATCH
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COASTAL WATCH
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The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s (SCCF) Coastal Watch and Marine Lab recently started a three-year project to restore oyster reefs in Tarpon Bay. Every Tuesday, volunteers assist staff in moving over 7,000 pounds of fossilized shell to four different restoration sites in the estuary.
“We are so excited to offer these weekly volunteer opportunities,” Coastal Watch Director Kealy Pfau said. “This project not only helps our oyster reefs and water quality, but it also creates unique opportunities for volunteers to get out on the boat, get their hands dirty and get hands-on experience with our restoration efforts.”
The project builds on the three-acre oyster reef that the SCCF constructed over the summer with grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Lee County, and Coastal Conservation Association.
Contractors moved 60 million pounds of fossilized shell to create the reef. Now, volunteers have the opportunity to continue the restoration effort by hand-placing shell at more sensitive, smaller sites.
“Volunteers are loading shell into buckets at an off-site location, moving the buckets to our Marine Lab, loading buckets on the boat and then dispersing them at our restoration sites,” she said. “We are building up these reefs to create ideal habitats for oyster spawn to attach themselves to and help restore these critical reefs.”
The SCCF reported that oysters have declined by 90% compared to a century ago both globally and regionally, yet the important species provide vital habitat to estuarine plants and animals and improve water quality by filtering water. Every oyster can filter about 50 gallons of water per day.
To volunteer or for more information, visit the SCCF on POINT at https://pointapp.org/orgs/2095.