Eat 'em Raw Or Roasted, Then Recycle Shells For Reef
Scientists with the University of Georgia Marine Extension Service have an answer: Recycle. They are collecting the bumpy little building blocks that are essential to a healthy marine ecosystem for an oyster reef restoration project along Georgia's coast.
At least 30,000 pounds of oyster shells are needed by spring for the Living Shoreline Restoration Project on Sapelo Island in McIntosh County. An additional 100,000 pounds are needed by then for a similar project on Tybee Island in Chatham County, said Casey Sanders, an extension service research technician working on the project.
Clam, conch and whelk shells also are being collected for the project.
The shells will be used in an ambitious experiment testing techniques to stabilize eroding creek banks on the two islands, Sanders said.
The project calls for planting the empty shells to create oyster reefs. The reefs should stabilize and prevent further erosion of creek banks. Scientists believe the planted shells "will encourage the establishment of natural oyster reefs. The reefs provide habitat for a wide variety of marine life, she said.
