Shell Bank: An Oyster Shell Recycling, Habitat Selection, and Outreach Program for the Texas Coastal Bend

Summary

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) will expand the oyster shell recycling program, by establishing partnerships with regional seafood festivals, and to reclaim a portion of the huge quantity of shells produced at these annual events. Also, host community shell-bagging events where volunteers create building blocks for an oyster reef by filling mesh bags with reclaimed oyster shells.  The Corpus Christi and Flour Bluff ISD Aquatic Science teachers will develop “oysters in the classroom”, where each class is provided with the materials (aquaria, salt water mix, water quality test kits, oyster larvae and phytoplankton (oyster food)) to grow, observe, and perform experiments on oysters in their classrooms.  Because of a lack of oyster shells, many different substrates are being used to restore reefs, including crushed concrete, porcelain, limestone, and river rock.  TAMUCC will design and conduct experiments to determine the effectiveness of each substrate for attachment and growth of oysters, and also as habitat for fish and crabs.