provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Along the coastlines of Sanibel, a quiet crisis is unfolding beneath the water’s surface—one that oyster restoration is uniquely positioned to address.
Once forming vast reefs that shaped shorelines and sustained ecosystems, oysters have declined dramatically due to pollution, overharvesting, habitat loss, and, in our specific case, changes resulting from releases from Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee watershed.
Their disappearance has left the waters murkier, coastlines more vulnerable, and marine life less abundant. Oyster reefs provide vital habitat to marine plants and animals and filter the water around them.
Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation’s Marine Laboratory and Coastal Watch program are working to study, protect, and restore Florida’s oyster populations. They offer volunteer opportunities open to all to help restore the oyster reefs.
Recently, the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary partnered with SCCF to restore oyster reefs using recycled oyster shells from local restaurants and fossilized oyster shells. The Rotary volunteers shoveled oyster shells from a large shell-recycling pile into 5-gallon buckets. They then loaded them onto a boat and, during a higher tide, floated them from the boat, dumping them onto the restoration site.
A true testament to the fact that many hands make lighter work.
Restored oyster sites are monitored for oyster density, settlement, and abundance and diversity of reef-associated animals. Restoring oysters is not just about bringing back a single species; it is about rebuilding natural systems that protect communities, improve water quality, and strengthen the resilience of our oceans in a changing climate. Together, we can make this happen.
To learn more about the Sanibel Captiva Rotary Club, join us for breakfast every Friday morning at 7:30 AM at the Sanibel Community House, or visit our website, www.sanibelrotary.org.
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