Oyster Reef Restoration gets underway in Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park

18 Dec 2019

Port Stephens will soon be a hive of activity with construction about to commence on the first large scale oyster reef restoration project in NSW.

“This project will deliver a wide range of benefits to the health of the estuary and the marine life within the marine park,” NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Fisheries Manager, Kirk Dahle, said today.

“From late December until early March, construction crews will place more than 3,000 tonnes of rock and over 150 cubic metres of recycled oyster shell onto reef restoration sites in Port Stephens.

“The oyster shell has been collected from the local oyster farms located around Port Stephens, and will be used to provide a base for oyster settlement on the new oyster reefs.

“Oyster reefs provide a wide range of benefits including water filtration, shoreline protection and the provision of food, shelter and protection for a range of marine creatures including recreational and commercial fish species.”

Oyster reefs once covered vast areas in NSW estuaries but the majority of these natural reefs were lost due to historical over harvesting or removal of oysters and their habitat, dredging for navigation, water pollution and disease.

“Restoring oyster reefs is a fantastic way to improve the health of the estuary and marine park as oysters are natural water filters. The reefs will also create additional natural habitat for fish, crabs and other species to use,” Mr Dahle said.

“The oyster reef restoration works will be highly visible over the construction period, if you are out and about on the water near the entrance to the Myall River or the Karuah           River you are likely to see works taking place.

“We have worked closely with other State agencies to ensure these reefs are safe for the boating public and are constructed in line with all necessary approvals.

“Please give work barges and crews a wide berth, and follow all advisory signage in these areas.”

The new Port Stephens oyster reefs will be showcased at the International Conference on Shellfish Restoration in Nelson Bay in March 2020.

The NSW DPI Oyster Reef Restoration project is a key management action under the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy.

Media contact: Sarah Wright (02) 6391 3686