OceanWatch Australia's 5 year program to provide an alternative tool for shoreline erosion focuses on turning old oyster shells into living shorelines. The HD Robb rock shelf site was selected in conjunction with Willoughby City Council due to erosion and limited public access. There is significant evidence of oyster recruitment and growth at the site founded on dead oysters. Living shorelines structures were installed in May 2017.
Shellfish
Method: Substrate provision
Shellfish species: Saccostrea glomerata
Hybrid structure: Custom-made coir (coconut fibre) bag filled with lose, dead oyster shell
Approach
Shellfish
Geographic context
Estuary
Organisation responsible
OceanWatch Australia
Primary objective
Coastal protection and habitat restoration
Coastal hazard
Erosion
Asset vulnerable
Natural
Date of completion
2020
Source of project funding
Australian Government, Sydney Coastal Councils Group, Greater Sydney Local Land Services, Landcare NSW and the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust
Project details and images © OceanWatch Australia 2020.