How the shellfish revolution works

News / Blog

Sadly, we’ve lost around 95 per cent of our shellfish reefs in Australia. This habitat is hugely important as it provides food and homes to a huge range of fish as well as filtering our waters. Put simply, the loss of these reefs means fewer fish on your line. So, how does OzFish restore shellfish reefs?

Here are the steps:   

Step 1: Site Mapping 

OzFish scientists identify habitats where shellfish reefs have been removed or are under threat. For instance, Moreton Bay lost 96% of its shellfish when the shells were harvested for cement and food. Other areas including Port Phillip, Swan-Canning Estuary, The Richmond River, Peel Harvey, and Pumicestone Passage urgently need help.  

Step 2: Our Scientist’s Weigh-In 

OzFish works with universities and fishery scientists to determine what to do and where to do it. Using this information, rehabilitation proposals are created and submitted to the relevant councils.  

Step 3: World-Class Innovation 

Our solutions are custom-built. In Moreton Bay restaurant oyster shells are recycled into new reefs. In Swan-Canning coir rope is used to bring back the mussels. In Peel Harvey biodegradable bags are hung from jetties as fixtures for shellfish to attach to. 

Step 4: Community Engagement 

Once the plan is set, OzFish volunteers muck in to bring these projects to life thanks to passionate community engagement from people interested in making a positive contribution to their local waterways. 

Step 5: Education

Throughout each project, OzFish runs engagement and education events to provide project updates that help the community better understand the benefits of shellfish restoration, and highlight how you can get involved 

The End Results 

OzFish believes that thinking about shellfish is the least selfish thing you can do for the generations to come. For every hectare of shellfish reef we restore, we produce two and a half tons of fish. Forever! OzFish is here to put more fish in your waterways.   

Why We Need Shellfish Reefs 

A single oyster filters 250 litres of water each day. Sadly, Australia has lost 95 per cent of its shellfish reefs and here’s why we need them 

  1. Shellfish reefs are habitats for all fish and invertebrates like crabs and prawns. 
  2. They filter sediment which delivers clear water.  
  3. Oysters dissipate wave energy and help protect the coast against storm surges.
  4. A hectare of oyster reef removes 225 kilograms of harmful nitrogen and phosphate. 
  5. Reefs are a stabilizer for estuaries and the ocean’s soil and sediment.
  6. Shellfish reefs are a vital cog in the fragile aquatic food web crucial for biodiversity. 
  • Credit: RAY KLERK