Community Corner

Great Bay Oyster Restoration Project Begins

Scientists from The Nature Conservancy and UNH are in the process of placing 240 tons of recycled surf clam shells on the Great Bay estuary bottom.

A project to restore the oyster population in Great Bay, and revitalize the overall habitat and water quality along with it, has begun as part of a partnership between The Nature Conservancy and the University of New Hampshire.

The partners are working to construct 2.5 acres of oyster reef to restore the once abundant shellfish, which scientists say have struggled to survive with heightened nitrogen levels in the bay. 

Oysters filter out excess nutrients and support marine habitat. The population in Great Bay has lost more than 90 percent of its historic reefs, according to The Nature Conservancy.

"The restoration of oysters may be Great Bay’s best hope for a sustainable recovery of the estuary," said Dr. Ray Konisky, The Conservancy’s Director of Marine Science, in a press release. "These resilient animals are amazing natural water filters – with mature reefs having the ability to naturally remove tons of nitrogen annually from the system. We feel strongly that oyster restoration is a natural solution that will help bring the Bay back into balance."

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Over the next two days, The Nature Conservancy and UNH scientists are working with contractors Riverside & Pickering and Granite State Minerals to place more than 240 tons of dried, recycled surf clam shell on the estuary channel bottom in select locations.

Later this summer, more than a half a million disease-resistant oysters will be placed on the newly constructed reef and will be monitored for growth, restoration and reef success, according to the project directors.

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Learn more about the NH Oyster restoration project, which is described as the largest of its kind north of Chesapeake Bay.


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