Bellville Boat Ramp Site

The 0.1 acres project site is located close to Sapelo Island. The goal was to place materials suitable for larval oyster settlement along the shoreline. It is hoped the area between the oyster reefs and the marsh will fill sediment and marsh grass.

Strategy

Construct three types of artificial cultch; 125 bundles of oak limbs wrapped with agricultural fencing, 600 bamboo spat sticks six feet in length, covered with resin and dusted with Portland cement; and 100 bags of recycled oyster shells placed on top of wooden pallets to encourage reef formation.

Eight staff and 23 volunteers deployed materials within the intertidal zone approximately 10 to 15 feet from an eroding vegetative edge adjacent to the boat ramp. Two parallel rows of oak limb bundles were staked in place using spat sticks and the space between the rows was filled with remaining spat sticks. Oyster shell bags were placed on firm substrate. 

Results

Monitoring was conducted periodically since the initial deployment. Bundles recruited well, however some were illegally removed from the site. the reef is currently stable and thriving, improving habitat and supported larvae and many juvenile recreational fishing species.