When we last checked in with the COASTAL Project over the summer some great results were already coming to fruition during monitoring at the 9 farms for their spat on shell grow outs.
Photo: A family affair as Tommy Burke of Sloop Point Oysters, assisted by his father and wife deployed his spat on shell grown on his lease throughout the 2024 season.
On November 19, 2024 the hard work of NJ oyster farmers was utilized to add to the Tuckerton and Mill Creek Reef sites in Barnegat and Great Bay. Each farmer deployed their 1.5"+ oysters growing on recycled shell in designated areas at each reef. In total over half a million oysters were deployed and will be monitored for continued growth. The Jetty Rock Foundation is proud to support this project and looks forward to year 2.
Read more about the reef planting in the press release HERE
Photo: Liam Andersen of Barnegat Oyster Collect prepares to deploy their spat on shell grown out in Barnegat Light.
Photo: Each contract paid farmers to grow the necessary spat on shell for additional restoration benefits at the two reef sites.
Photo: Chris Carroll of Laughing Gull Oysters deploying his fish totes full of spat on shell.