NEW ORLEANS - The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL), which operates one of the largest shell recycling programs in the nation, has received federal funding to join the new Gulf of Mexico Community-Based Oyster Recycling and Reef Restoration Network.
The 3-year cooperative agreement is led by Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) and supported by NOAA. It has received $5M in funding to support oyster restoration, shell recycling and community engagement.
The GRO network brings together CRCL, RAE, Galveston Bay Foundation, Tampa Bay Watch, Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program and Alabama Coastal Foundation to establish or enhance oyster shell recycling programs, restore existing oyster reefs, install new oyster reefs to protect shorelines and bolster populations and share lessons learned with members of the Gulf region.
CRCL has recycled more than 13M pounds of shell through its Oyster Shell Recycling Program since 2014; built five oyster reefs with another reef-build scheduled for the fall at Pointe-au-Chien.
The funding will help pay for shell bagging volunteer events hosted by CRCL starting in the fall. It will also support CRCL’s construction of two oyster reefs. One to be built by volunteers in the fall of 2024 in Plaquemines Parish to protect a culturally significant site selected by the Atakapa-Ishak/Chawasha tribe of Grand Bayou Indian Village.
In fall 2025, the funding will support a reef built by volunteers in Terrebonne Parish selected by the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw.
The program will develop a peer-to-peer learning network to share best practices and lessons learned.
By investing in oyster shell recovery and oyster reef restoration, GRO will provide natural habitat for oyster larvae to settle and grow, promoting more robust reefs in the future. Enhanced oyster reefs improve water quality by filter feeding.
GRO will also support efforts to create local jobs and kickstart conservation projects in communities at risk of climate hazards. (CRCL 08/18/23) CRCL to Join Gulf Oyster Recycling and Reef Restoration Network - Biz New Orleans
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