INCREASING OYSTER RECRUITMENT ON ARTIFICIAL REEFS

Living shorelines are structures for coastal protection composed of natural and man-made materials intended to promote ecological enhancement through the recruitment of foundation species. Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginia) are a common target because they form reefs that provide valuable services such as water filtration, habitat development, and coastal defense. This study examined three ways to optimize recruitment of Crassostrea virginica on low carbon concrete (LCC) used for living shorelines. First, recruitment to LCC modules was compared to traditional materials (shell and rock). Second, the effects of three post-manufacturing surface texturing treatments on recruitment were compared. Third, the effect of a SeaTakTM poly-catechol styrene primer applied via three different solvents was compared against an untreated control. Results indicated that LCC reef units perform as well or better than traditional materials. Surprisingly, surface texturing methods performed significantly worse than the untreated control indicating additional texturing was unnecessary. Finally, there was no clear effect of the different primer solvents on recruitment, however, tests of attachment strength remain to be completed. This research contributed to ongoing efforts to develop resilient coastal protection strategies via the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Reefense Program. Results informed the design and implementation of an experimental oyster reef breakwater at Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Florida USA.

Presentation Preference: Poster

Primary Presenter: Kristie Semanchik, Bucknell University (kristiesemanchik@gmail.com)

Authors:

Kristie Semanchik, Bucknell University  (ks065@bucknell.edu)

David Bushek, Rutgers University  (bushek@hsrl.rutgers.edu)

Jenny Shinn, Rutgers University  (jenny.shinn@rutgers.edu)

Talia Barry, Rutgers University  (talia.barry@rutgers.edu)