- Shellfish Reefs to Be Restored Over Dredge Material Grounds in Port Phillip Bay.
- New Trial Uses Recycled Shells and Limestone to Create Living Reefs.
- 400,000 Australian Flat Oysters Seeded to Rebuild Collapsed Ecosystem.
The Port of Melbourne announced its partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Australia to undertake the world’s first trial of rehabilitating shellfish reefs on dredge material grounds in Port Phillip Bay. Dredge material grounds are defined areas where sand and mud are deposited after clearing them from navigation channels, reports Port of Melbourne.
Pioneering New Shellfish Reefs Over Dredge Spoil
Andrew Bossie, TNC’s Seascapes Conservation Officer in Victoria, highlighted the significance of the project: “This is an incredibly exciting initiative. We are restoring half a hectare of new shellfish reefs over dredge spoil, something that has never been attempted before.”
Launch of the Trial and Reef Construction
The trial commenced on 4 February, utilizing recycled shell from TNC’s Shuck Don’t Chuck project and local limestone rock to construct a reef base. The base will be seeded with 400,000 Australian Flat Oysters, which will grow and create a living reef that filters water and attracts marine life.
Shellfish reefs once covered half of Port Phillip Bay’s seafloor but have collapsed as a result of overfishing and other environmental pressures.
Financial Support for the Project
Port of Melbourne has invested $890,000 to aid TNC’s efforts in restoring the Bay’s ecosystem. “We are delighted to support the restoration of shellfish reefs in the Bay,” said Craig Faulkner, Port of Melbourne Executive General Manager Operations.
Potential Global Impact of the Trial
Mr. Bossie further emphasized the potential of the trial: “We are incredibly excited to continue our shellfish reef restoration work by leading a world first trial. If successful, this project could catalyse the restoration of end-of-life dredge material grounds in other parts of Australia and the world.”
National Shellfish Restoration Program
It is a component of TNC’s overall objective to restore shellfish ecosystems at 60 sites around Australia by 2030.
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Source: Port of Melbourne
