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

mniebuhr@galvbay.org