The Oyster Habitat

Spat on shell (9/14/23)

Many of the oysters are beginning to grow beyond 3 cm (a little over an inch). Even though they are competing with one another for space, they do not ever detach from the old shells they are growing on. (Oysters are sessile organisms—characterized by being permanently fixed to a single surface)

Even though we receive the spat on shell used for this program from a hatchery, this form directly mimics the way oyster reefs naturally develop—new oysters grow on older shells.

Oyster reefs provide a protective environment, or nursery, where many juvenile species have a better likelihood of avoiding predation. The overall increase in small fish and invertebrates on and around oyster reefs helps to support the populations of larger fish and crabs that feed on them.

Here are some of the things we’ve seen in and around the cages lately…

Blue crab (9/6/23)

Slipper snails alongside oysters (9/2/23)

Asian shore crab (9/2/23)

School of young Atlantic menhaden (also known as “peanut bunker”) (9/2/23)

The 2023 season is starting to wind down, but volunteers continue to team up for this important work.

Volunteers at the Sea Cliff Yacht Club (8/27/23)

Volunteers at Tappen Marina (9/2/23)