Plastic-Free Oyster Reef Restoration

Overview

Severe declines of native oyster populations have occurred across the Gulf of America due to overharvesting, disease, pollution, and habitat loss. One of the most popular restoration methods has been building oyster reefs using recycled restaurant shells placed in plastic mesh bags—a cost-effective, community-friendly practice that unfortunately introduces tons of plastic into coastal waters.

The Plastic-Free Oyster Reef Restoration Project is tackling this challenge head-on. With $2.7 million in funding from NOAA Sea Grant’s Marine Debris Challenge Competition, researchers and communities in Texas and Florida are working together to:

• Test plastic-free alternatives such as basalt fiber bags, beechwood fiber bags, and jute-infused cement for oyster reef restoration.
• Measure effectiveness and unintended consequences compared to traditional polyethylene mesh.
• Engage volunteers and underserved communities through hands-on restoration, bilingual outreach, and educational activities.
• Provide tools for practitioners to make informed choices about restoration materials.

Texas Sea Grant plays a leading role in stakeholder engagement, communications, and outreach. We are guiding the development of a Stakeholder Advisory Board, creating practitioner assessments, hosting meetings, and producing bilingual materials and videos to ensure research findings are applied broadly.

Restoration sites are located in St. Charles Bay in the Mission-Aransas Estuary (Texas) and Mosquito Lagoon in the Indian River Lagoon system (Florida). Together with our partners, this project will spark a large-scale shift toward plastic-free, sustainable oyster reef restoration.