The hunt is on for Australia’s lost tropical shellfish reefs

Australia’s tropical shellfish reefs, like temperate shellfish reefs in other parts of the country, need our urgent care and attention.

For many years, impacts like over-harvesting, disease, siltation, and poor water quality have taken their toll and led to ecological decline. Unlike our more southern shellfish reefs, less is known about tropical shellfish reefs and just how much of this habitat has been lost. Poor historical records have meant that most of the knowledge around these losses has long since faded from national memory.

As challenging as this sounds, there is great optimism at OzFish that we can help restore these reef systems to their former glory and get them thriving again. We are building the map to bring these natural fish factories back – and all we need now is your help to tell us where you’ve seen signs of shellfish life.

By joining in the Great Shellfish Hunt with recreational fishers right across the country, you’ll be helping OzFish harness the power of citizen science to deliver hugely rewarding outcomes for your local waterways.

Tropical shellfish reefs are natural fish factories, so in helping OzFish collect this data, you’ll be directly supporting the return of more fish.

Robbie Porter, OzFish Senior Special Projects Officer

Getting involved: As easy as 1-2-3

Your participation in the Great Shellfish Hunt is an important first step, as it will help guide our researchers to locate and study tropical shellfish systems that remain and determine the best places for OzFish to begin restoration efforts.

All you have to do is keep your eyes peeled for shellfish reefs when you are out on (or near) tropical waters. If you spot a reef, take some photos, including close-ups of the shellfish, record the coordinates and upload your findings to the OzFish Reef Tracker, our nationwide database.

How to identify a tropical shellfish reef

• A tropical shellfish reef is made up of clumps or clusters of oysters or mussels stacked together, forming small mounds or reef-like structures.
• The key feature of a reef is that the shellfish are cemented together, not scattered.
• These reefs can form on all sorts of bases — old posts, sea walls, mangrove roots, or even directly on muddy or sandy bottoms.
• A healthy reef will be teeming with fish, crabs, and other marine life.
• Once you have identified a tropical shellfish reef, follow the 1-2-3.

Tropical shellfish habitat: why we need to know more

Tropical shellfish reefs are vital for coastal and estuarine ecosystems, providing food and homes to a huge range of fish, including fishing favourites Mangrove Jack and Yellowfin Bream.

They support the production of up to 16 tonnes of fish per hectare each year and are home to invertebrates that form the base of food chains. They also filter our bays and estuaries and protect shorelines from the impacts of climate change.

“Shellfish reefs have often been referred to as the temperate equivalent of coral reefs, but we now know that’s not exactly true – shellfish reefs are also found across the tropics and we know almost nothing about them!

In fact, we know so little that most of the tropical reef-building species in Australia are yet to be given a scientific name! It’s really important that we understand their ecology and potential conservation needs to ensure that these ecosystems, and their many benefits, thrive for generations to come.”

– Dr Marina Richardson, marine scientist, Griffith University

Local knowledge is the key

We have the know-how to bring these reefs back to life. OzFish and its volunteer army have been making great inroads with shellfish restoration projects across the country. To do the same for Australia’s tropical shellfish reefs, we need to tap into local knowledge, to map the reefs that remain.

By joining the Great Shellfish Hunt and sharing good data you’ll be contributing to the rejuvenation of vital marine ecosystems, essential for everyone’s recreational fishing future.

“At OzFish, we know the value of a good fishing spot, so we’re not asking folks to give away their secrets — your info stays confidential. We just need to know where these reef systems already exist, so we can determine the best places to restore them.”

– Robbie Porter, OzFish Senior Special Projects Officer

So, what say you? Want to take part in one of the greatest nature comeback stories of all time? With your participation in the Great Shellfish Hunt we can kickstart a tropical shellfish reef revival.

This project is delivered in partnership with OzFish Unlimited and Griffith University, and is funded by the federal government through the National Environment Science Program. It is also supported by BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.