The Swan-Canning Estuary site is one of 13 locations identified for restoration under the Reef Builder program, a partnership between the Australian Government and TNC to establish and restore shellfish reefs and support local communities with the creation of jobs. Blue Mussel reefs were restored using locally sourced rock for the reef substrate and seeded with wild capture mussel stock from a local aquaculture farm. The stock were initially settled on longlines, grown out to adult size, then deployed onto the reef bases.
Shellfish
Method: Substrate provision, Seeding - aquaculture
Shellfish species: Mytilus edulis
Hybrid structure: Limestone reef base
Approach
Shellfish
Geographic context
Estuary
Organisation responsible
The Nature Conservancy
Primary objective
Coastal protection and habitat restoration
Coastal hazard
Erosion
Asset vulnerable
Built, Natural
Area of project (ha)
5.9
Date of completion
2020-2023
Cost ($AUD)
~$1,000,000
Source of project funding
Lotterywest, the Minderoo Foundation, Western Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), the Australian Government’s Reef Builder initiative