Globally, 85% of oyster reefs have become extinct as a result of over-harvesting, disease, and poor water quality. Lost oyster reefs are commonly replaced with habitats that provide less food or poorer protection from predators for fish, such as bare muds and sands. These profound habitat changes typically result in sharp declines in fish diversity and biomass, severely impacting fisheries. For these reasons, oyster reefs are being restored in many locations worldwide.
After a century of decline, the Noosa Oyster Reef Restoration Trial project aims to assess the effectiveness of re-establishing a lost aquatic habitat and remediate the Noosa River system using trial oyster reef installations made of ‘sausage shaped’ hessian bags filled with recycled oyster shells – a novel design by researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
To better understand the history of Oysters in the Noosa River, read Sourcing Recreational Fisheries Data from Newspaper Records.
The Noosa Oyster Reef Restoration Trial is one component of the broader Bring Back the Fish research program, a joint initiative of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Noosa Parks Association and The Thomas Foundation. Bring Back the Fish aims to progressively re-establish and restore resilient natural aquatic ecosystems in the Noosa Estuary, River and Lakes system through three key priorities: Noosa Oyster Reef Restoration Trial, Biodiversity in the Noosa River and Keeping it in Kin Kin.
Long-term, the outcomes sought are a considered balance between marine biodiversity recovery and sustainable recreational and commercial fishing; and to restore marine biodiversity of the Noosa River and Lakes system and Laguna Bay by restoring fish habitats and populations to levels that better reflect past abundance.
Download our Noosa River Oyster Reef Trial Restoration Fact Sheet.
