New Oyster Reef Launched In Montauk

MONTAUK, NY — Collaborative efforts resulted in the creation of a new Spat-on-shell oyster reef in Montauk last week.

The purpose of the new oyster reef, a release said, is to improve water quality, enhance local oyster populations and provide underwater habitat for local fish species.

Cornell Cooperative Extension's marine program, Concerned Citizens of Montauk, and Gurney's Star Island Resort & Marina worked together to deploy the new reef on July 27. The project involved placing approximately 100,000 Spat-on-shell oysters on the bottomlands right offshore of the Gurney's Star Island Resort & Marina property. Spat-on-shell oysters are tiny oysters set on recycled oyster shells in Cornell’s shellfish hatchery, those involved explained.

In addition, the site at Gurney’s Star Island will be used to educate resort and marina guests on the importance of the marine environment, as well as sustainability efforts, through signage.

Gurney’s Star Island and CCE have also worked together to create a youth education program including impactful topics like water quality, aquaculture, and fisheries.

Gurney’s Star Island also hosts one of CCE’s floating upweller systems, which is capable of helping grow millions of clams and oysters in support of local shellfish restoration efforts, the release added.

“We are grateful to have the support of Gurney’s Resorts and appreciate their commitment to continuing to expand our collaborative efforts to improve the local marine environment and provide meaningful education experiences to resort guests,” said Kimberly Barbour, CCE's marine program outreach manager.

“With maritime culture being an integral part of our DNA, we aim to thoughtfully engage in sustainable practices within water quality, habitat, aquaculture" and other areas with an eye toward protecting area waters and supporting the marine environment, George Filopoulos, owner of Gurney's Resorts said.

Laura Tooman, president of CCOM, said the group is thrilled that CCE’s shellfish restoration experts have teamed up with Gurney’s, a local business "who is serving as steward of our environment, doing their part to improve our local waters."

As the oyster reef expands, it will have the potential to deploy up to 1 million Spat-on-shell oysters at the location over the next 10 years; to that end, Gurney’s Resorts has committed to being a long-term sponsor of the oyster reef site, representatives said.

CCE is also accepting donations in support of the oyster reef expansion. To learn more, and find out how to help, click here.