Oyster Reef Expansion
Oyster Reef Expansion
Copano Bay | Texas
• A $75,000 contribution by the CCA Building Conservation Trust has been applied to add a 1.5-acre oyster reef complex on to the existing $311,000, 3.8-acre Lap Reef, in Copano Bay, Texas. The original reef was constructed through a collaborative effort of the Texas General Land Office - Coastal Management Program, Gulf of Mexico Foundation, NOAA Restoration Center, and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department - Kills and Spills Program. • The project built a 3-dimensional reef complex with high vertical relief to enhance oyster and fish abundance while minimizing sedimentation. The reef was constructed using approximately 500 cubic yards of recycled, clean crushed concrete and other suitable base material, topped with reclaimed oyster shells.
• Based on previous restoration work at this location, the restoration project is expected to increase fish habitat, enhance oyster, finfish and crustacean abundance, and increase recreational fishing opportunities. This project used oyster shells that have been reclaimed and stockpiled as part of the Oyster Shell Recycling program • The reef site has been found to be very productive for oysters. The Harte Research Institute and the College of Science and Engineering at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi have been monitoring the reef since construction using the “NOAA Restoration Center Project Monitoring” guide and the “Science-Based Restoration Monitoring of Coastal Habitats” manual. Structural and functional characteristics of the new reef will be compared to a nearby reef in Copano Bay for comparison with the restoration site.
“This generous funding from CCA will allow us to build on existing conservation efforts to further enhance recreational fishing opportunities and water quality in the Texas coastal bend. CCA continues to be a strong environmental steward and we look forward to a productive partnership on this project.” —Jennifer Pollack, Assistant Professor of Marine Biology, Harte Research Institute
Copano Bay | Texas
• A $75,000 contribution by the CCA Building Conservation Trust has been applied to add a 1.5-acre oyster reef complex on to the existing $311,000, 3.8-acre Lap Reef, in Copano Bay, Texas. The original reef was constructed through a collaborative effort of the Texas General Land Office - Coastal Management Program, Gulf of Mexico Foundation, NOAA Restoration Center, and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department - Kills and Spills Program. • The project built a 3-dimensional reef complex with high vertical relief to enhance oyster and fish abundance while minimizing sedimentation. The reef was constructed using approximately 500 cubic yards of recycled, clean crushed concrete and other suitable base material, topped with reclaimed oyster shells.
• Based on previous restoration work at this location, the restoration project is expected to increase fish habitat, enhance oyster, finfish and crustacean abundance, and increase recreational fishing opportunities. This project used oyster shells that have been reclaimed and stockpiled as part of the Oyster Shell Recycling program • The reef site has been found to be very productive for oysters. The Harte Research Institute and the College of Science and Engineering at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi have been monitoring the reef since construction using the “NOAA Restoration Center Project Monitoring” guide and the “Science-Based Restoration Monitoring of Coastal Habitats” manual. Structural and functional characteristics of the new reef will be compared to a nearby reef in Copano Bay for comparison with the restoration site.
“This generous funding from CCA will allow us to build on existing conservation efforts to further enhance recreational fishing opportunities and water quality in the Texas coastal bend. CCA continues to be a strong environmental steward and we look forward to a productive partnership on this project.” —Jennifer Pollack, Assistant Professor of Marine Biology, Harte Research Institute
