Oysters: the Selfless Shellfish

We are currently working to restore oyster populations in the IRL by constructing coquina oyster reefs that mimic the structure of naturally occurring oyster colonies. Coquina, a limestone rock made from compressed shell and coral, mixed with fossilized and recycled oyster shell creates an ideal environment for oyster larvae, which need hard substrates to settle on. As the oyster larvae float by in the water, they are able to attach themselves to the reef and grow into spat, AKA baby oysters! The oyster reef will grow as spat continue to settle on the shells of older oysters.

To construct the reef, we lay the coquina rock in a perimeter based on the permitted footprint. Then, we add fossilized shell to the middle of the reef and recycled shell on top of that. We add live oysters in areas deemed necessary based on the availability of natural recruitment. Seeing high levels of oyster recruitment is one way to tell how successful a reef is. Our team continues to monitor the reefs they’ve constructed to collect important data that will inform future builds.

After a decade of building oyster reefs, we have been able to optimize our processes and use the most up-to-date science to achieve the best results. Using coquina helps better mimic an oyster’s natural habitat and provide better water circulation. Additionally, switching away from metal and plastic materials and opting for natural ones has allowed us to be more environmentally friendly and keep up with our organization’s sustainability goals.

Over the last few years, our staff and volunteers have built tens-of-thousands of square feet of oyster reef! As of 2026, our team has built 170,000 square feet of oyster reef.

We’re proud of the vital role we play in helping grow oyster populations in the IRL. You can be a part of our work by volunteering at our next reef build.