Supporting oyster aquaculture and restoration

The pandemic has created a surplus of harvested oysters, which creates concern for the vulnerability of the oyster market.

In order to address it, The Nature Conservancy partnered with Pew Charitable Trusts as well as local partners like Friends of Bellport Bay to create the Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration initiative, focused on purchasing the excess oysters and repurposing them in nearby restoration projects.

Friends of Bellport Bay planted 80,000 oysters in Bellport Bay from Friday, Dec. 4 into Saturday, Dec. 5 using the Gino Macchio Foundation oyster barge. An additional 90,000 oysters were planted by Friends of Bellport Bay on Monday, Dec. 14, totaling the oyster count at 170,000 over the two plantings.

“This effort required a large amount of logistical support from multiple agencies and organizations,” said Thomas Schultz, a co-founder of Friends of Bellport Bay. “We are thankful for the leadership provided by the Pew Charitable Trusts and TNC.”

Schultz said the effort and commitment from the Gino Macchio Foundation for providing vessels and staff needed to transport the oysters was invaluable, in addition to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation as well as the Town of Brookhaven.

“The NYSDEC expedited the required permits to transport oysters. We are grateful to Brookhaven Town for creating the shellfish management area in Bellport Bay where the oysters were planted and to Bellport Village for allowing us to stage operations on the municipal dock," he said.

The Nature Conservancy is working with its partners to purchase more than 5 million surplus farmed oysters and use them in nearby oyster restoration projects, like Friends of Bellport Bay. The Nature Conservancy considers the situation a win-win for these environmentally friendly businesses and for our ocean ecosystems.