Exciting Oyster Growth
It’s been just over a month since our oysters were delivered and placed in their cages. Volunteers are now seeing noticeable growth.
Spat on shell on July 19, 2023
Spat on shell on August 11, 2023
Growing out the spat-on-shell oysters in floating cages keeps them out of muddy conditions and provides some protection from predation during this vulnerable stage of their lives. While many factors affect restoration outcomes, their larger size at the time of release each season will help improve survival rates.
Spat on shell from Hempstead Harbor’s conservation management area (4/10/23)
In April of 2023, divers from Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County assessed the growth and health of the spat-on-shell oysters from the 2022 community oyster gardening season, which were released into a designated conservation management area in Hempstead Harbor. They found that the oysters appeared healthy, had grown in size since their release, and did not show signs of predation.
This year’s volunteers continue to work hard cleaning the cages and taking the growth data that is so important to understanding the development of the oysters and the progress of the program.
Tappen Marina volunteers (8/19/23)
ReWild Long Island interns at North Hempstead Beach Park (8/12/23)
Hempstead Harbour Club volunteers (8/11/23)
Pall Green Team volunteers at North Hempstead Beach Park (8/9/23)
