OzFish Unlimited volunteers use one million oyster shells to save Moreton Bay reef

More than 200 volunteers have revived a nearly extinct reef in Moreton Bay, using one million oyster shells. WATCH HOW THEY DID IT

More than 200 recreational fishers and volunteers have banded together to save a near-extinct Moreton Bay reef — using one million oyster shells.

In one of the biggest such efforts to date by OzFish Unlimited, Australia’s only recreational fishing charity, volunteers spent 2900 hours collecting and cleaning used oyster shells.

They used the 16.5 tonnes of shells to build 765 mini reefs, known as robust oyster baskets.

Shellfish reefs were once plentiful in the bay and contributed to vibrant fisheries and clear water.

But two centuries of dredging, overharvesting and poor water quality meant the bay’s shellfish reefs were now considered functionally extinct.

An OzFish Unlimited volunteer working on restoring the Moreton Bay reef. Picture: Contributed

The one million recycled shells, collected from restaurants and businesses across Brisbane by volunteers, had the potential to become home to more than 1.5 million living oysters.

The habitat they created would be able to support tonnes of fish and an estimated 750,000 invertebrates, including crabs, shrimp, worms, and snails.

Robbie Porter, OzFish special projects officer for shellfish restoration, said the community spirit being shown by recreational fishers could help revitalise what had been lost in the Moreton Bay.

“This was our biggest day yet returning shellfish to Moreton Bay and it was only possible because of the incredible effort of our members and volunteers,” Mr Porter said.

OzFish Unlimited volunteers working to deploy more than one million oysters. Picture- contributed.

“They did a power of work, including using their own vehicles to collect the shells, dedicating their time to cleaning the shells, designing the mini reefs and spending more hours on the water to return them to the Bay.

The project is the largest community driven shellfish restoration program in Australia and is leading the way for anglers in other states inspired by their work who are seeking to replicate its success.

“We’re beginning to make a dent, and it’s just the beginning,” Mr Porter said.

OzFish Unlimited volunteers who were involved in restoring the Moreton Bay reef. Picture- contributed.

“I’d like to thank everybody, from our members through to the many project partners and local businesses in South East Queensland who have helped.

Some of the one million oyster shells deployed to save the reef. Picture- contributed.

“We want to keep it up as there is so much more to be restored.”

Queensland recreational fishers delivering the biggest ever single day of habitat restoration in Moreton Bay. Picture- contributed.

“What’s really exciting is the sea life that begins to establish onto the reef, we can see they are doing exactly what we had hoped.”

More than one million oysters were deployed to save the Moreton Bay reef. Picture- contributed.

Shellfish reef restoration has never been undertaken on this scale and speed in the Moreton Bay region before.

Queensland recreational fishers working to deliver the biggest ever single day of habitat restoration in Moreton Bay. Picture – contributed.

OzFish’s restoration efforts in Moreton Bay are part of its shell fish Revolution, which is supported by the charity’s major partner BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.

More than one million oysters, 16.5 tonnes of shells, were deployed to save the Moreton Bay reef. Picture- contributed.

The project is also supported by Healthy Land & Water through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare and Fish Habitat Restoration Programs, Port of Brisbane, the Turner Family Foundation and Tackle Tactics.

OzFish Unlimited is a national environmental conservation charity established to improve the health of Australia’s rivers, lakes and estuaries.

It is a member-based organisation dedicated to making Australian recreational fishing grounds healthy, vibrant and more productive.

Its active work includes; habitat restoration such as returning seagrass meadows to coastlines, shellfish reefs, resnagging, riverbank planting, clean-ups, fishways, and educational and community capacity-building programs.

OzFish has more than 50 local Chapters of recreational fishers committed to habitat restoration and sustainable fishing across Australia.