MISSION-ARANSAS ESTUARY – Texas oyster reefs are set to receive a significant boost with an $8.2 million grant awarded for a large-scale restoration project. Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Office of Habitat Conservation through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, this initiative aims to restore heavily degraded oyster reefs over the next four years.

The project is spearheaded by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in collaboration with several partners, including the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, The Nature Conservancy, and the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi.

Oyster reefs play a vital role in maintaining the health of Texas’ bays by filtering water, supporting marine biodiversity, and protecting shorelines from storm surges and erosion. However, these habitats are in crisis, with an 85% decline worldwide and a 50% loss in the Gulf of Mexico due to coastal development, degraded water quality, extreme weather events, and fishing practices.

The restoration project will be one of the largest of its kind in Texas, aiming to support oyster systems before restoration becomes significantly more challenging and costly. Jennifer Pollack, Larry D. McKinney Endowed Chair for Coastal Conservation and Restoration at the Harte Research Institute, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Healthy oyster reefs are the unsung heroes of our coastal ecosystems. This project represents a groundbreaking step in preserving their role as nature’s water filters and shoreline defenders.”

The project involves constructing broodstock reserves (non-harvestable oyster reefs) across the Mission Aransas Estuary. These reefs will be built with large boulders that cannot be fished with dredges in areas like the Copano and Aransas bays. Additionally, recycled oyster shells and other materials will be used to create reefs in sub-bays where regulatory provisions protect oysters from harvest.

The location of these reefs is crucial, as healthy reefs can provide a “network” of larval sources to nearby degraded reefs. By building networks of connected oyster reefs, the project aims to foster rapid recovery, enhance biodiversity, and equip oyster habitats to withstand future environmental challenges.

Local community members, including oyster fishers and recreational anglers, will have input in selecting restoration sites to ensure that locations contribute to the estuarine landscape’s ecology and avoid user conflicts. The project team will engage the community throughout the restoration process to share updates and results.

This ambitious oyster restoration project marks a significant step towards preserving Texas’ coastal ecosystems, ensuring the sustainability of oyster fisheries, and enhancing the resilience of marine habitats for future generations.