Oyster Cultch Relief and Reef Configuration
Implementing Organization
State of Alabama
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$480,262
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (NRDA)
Funding Program
Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRDA
Details
Project Category
Environmental
Project Actions
Species Restoration
Targeted Resources
Oysters/Reefs
Project Description
The project will deploy different types of cultch material in various configurations to facilitate positive settlement and growth of oysters on selected reef areas in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Since 2005, the oyster density on publicly harvested reefs has been in decline as a result of damage and silting associated with Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina and drought conditions. This has caused proliferation of the predatory oyster drill on historically productive reefs. Alabama Marine Resources Division (AMRD) will investigate the merit of deploying different types of cultch material in various configurations to enhance settlement and growth of oysters on selected reef areas in Mobile Bay. The project will restore reefs selected for project implementation. The project has three additional study objectives: (1) determine whether there are differences in oyster settlement, growth, and survival on reefs of differing levels of relief and/or orientation relative to currents; (2) determine optimum reef material relief needed to restore oyster density on specific reefs within historical reef areas in which hydrology parameters such as oxygen and salinity and oyster recruitment and survival are highly variable; and (3) estimate the cost/benefits of deploying cultch in configurations differing from traditional cultch broadcast methods. The broader goal is to inform and increase the success of future oyster reef restoration activities. For project implementation, two sites have been tentatively selected for pre-monitoring surveys--a 36-acre reef approximately 1 mile north-northeast of the mouth of East Fowl River; and Denton Reef (70 acres) located appr...click on "More Info" link below
Contact
Jason Herrmann(251) 861-2882
jason.herrmann@dcnr.alabama.gov
Project Website
None
For official trustee information regarding the Deepwater Horizon NRDA, including information regarding the NRDA process and the status of projects, see https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/