What are the environmental benefits of the oyster restoration project?
• The reefs will provide an increase in essential habitat available for many species of invertebrates besides oysters, such as shrimp, clams, snails, crabs, as well as many species of fish. • A larger oyster population will effectively filter more water in the estuaries. When fully populated with oysters, the reefs will be able to filter the total volume of the St. Lucie Estuary in about one month. • The improvements in water quality will lead to expanded seagrass growth, which creates important fish nursery habitat. • Oyster reefs along with mangrove and other plantings will serve as effective shoreline stabilizers, helping to combat erosion.
