A Shore Town Turns to Oysters to Fight Rising Seas and Erosion

njspotlightnews.org

Every year, hungry restaurant patrons slurp down fat, juicy oysters, their greyish-white shells cast aside with little thought. But here on this picturesque barrier island, the crusty shells are a valuable commodity and are hauled away by township workers, sorted by volunteers and destined for a whole new life.

Come September, the recycled shells collected over the last few years will become part of a new oyster reef the township is building to help protect its bayside marshland from erosion. Baby oysters, known as spat, will be added to the mix of recycled shells in a concrete “castle” in a modern-day effort to grow a new colony, which in turn will make the bay healthier.