Gomez Key Oyster Reef Expansion and Breakwaters for American Oystercatchers
Implementing Organization
State of Florida
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$5,073,904
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
Birds/Bird Habitat
Project Description
The project will restore and enhance critical nesting and foraging habitat for American Oystercatchers on a small island, Gomez Key, by integrating a combination of habitat restoration strategies to prevent erosion, increase sedimentation, promote oyster recolonization, and expand and elevate potential American oystercatcher nesting habitat. Specifically, the project will: • Provide durable structure and surface area through cultch placement for oyster reef expansion and recolonization in the intertidal zone; and expand potential American oystercatcher nesting habitat above the mean-high-water line; • Install native rock (e.g., limestone, shell) breakwaters along the wave-ward side of the island to dissipate wave energy and increase sediment deposition on the island. The goal of the project is to restore and enhance American Oystercatcher nesting and foraging locations on Gomez Key to prevent further erosion and loss of this critical habitat and to increase reproductive success in the area. Habitat loss in the intertidal waters around Cedar Key is the primary threat facing the breeding population of American oystercatchers in the southern half of the Big Bend region of Florida’s Gulf Coast (from the Apalachicola River to just north of Tampa Bay, including Gomez Key). Many small, but critically important, nesting sites are already threatened by overwash and erosion during the normal tidal cycle. Extensive work on oysters in the area indicates that oyster larvae are present in the system and the limiting factor for oyster resettlement is the presence of hard substrate. Past projects in the area, including the National Fish and Wildl...click on "More Info" link below
Contact
Gareth Leonard(850) 617-9452
gareth.leonard@myfwc.com
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/