In collaboration with NICA, the Noosa Environmental Education Hub visited the Noosa Pengari Steiner School to talk about the oyster reef restoration project being done around the Noosa River.
Marine ecologist Maddie Brown, who is also a Project Officer with NICA, discussed the importance of shellfish reefs, describing them as “underwater cities” in that they are their own ecosystem that form habitats for a variety of marine life.
When it came time to investigate the two oyster baskets that had been brought in, the students enthusiastically inspected the contents, finding fish and spat. Once being told about the ‘Adopt a Basket’ volunteer program—entailing the counting of shells and spat once a month to monitor how the oysters were doing—a couple of students even expressed interest in volunteering!
The groups involved in the oyster reef restoration project are aiming towards a biodiverse future in which shellfish reefs play a vital part. Not only do they provide habitat for other marine life, the oysters also filter the water—removing sediments, nitrogen and phosphate—making it cleaner for both sea life and humans.
Ashlee – Work Experience USC Student