Oyster Shell Recycling Program and volunteer-based Oyster Gardening
Michael NiebuhrHabitat Restoration CoordinatorGalveston Bay Foundation, Houston, TX
The mission of the Galveston Bay
Foundation is to preserve and
enhance Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for generations to
come.
Largest Bay in Texas
(660 sq mi)
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Prior to 2008, over 80% of Texas oysters came from Galveston Bay.
Galveston Bay is the state’s
most important oyster fishery!
Why Oysters?
2008 Hurricane Ike’s mortality rates
Prior to 2008, over 80%of Texas oysters camefrom Galveston Bay.
(TPWD 2017)
2017 Hurricane Harvey mortality rates
Step 1: Shell Collection
Step 1: Shell Collection
Step 2: Sun Curing
Curing Site selection process
- Location- Accessibility- Cost- Improvements
Texas City Preserve Curing Site
Red Bluff Road Curing Site
Inland Marine Curing Site
Accomplishments
Oyster shell tonnage is based on an average bin weight of 192 lbs. & is subject to a variance of ± 5%
Hurri
cane
Har
vey
Future Expansion
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Small Scale Hands-off
• Restaurants & citizens deliver shells to public disposal site
• Low Cost$
Small ScaleHands-on
• Staff collect shells from restaurants
• Medium Cost$$
Large ScaleHands-off
• Subcontract recycling vendor to collect shells
• High cost$$$
Volunteer -Based Oyster
Gardening
Volunteer Oyster Gardening
Oyster Garden Monitoring
1) Mesh Bag
2) Stringer
3) Cage
Thank you to our Partners & Sponsors
Thank You! Michael NiebuhrHabitat Restoration Coordinator
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