Vincent Encomio, PhD, Research Scientist, spearheads the effort to restore the oyster population devastated by fresh-water discharges into the estuary that began in 2005 and continues today! The oysters are critical to cleaning the water and providing habitat and food for more than 300 estuarine species.
Florida Oceanographic staff and volunteers grow oyster larvae and spat at our science center. When they mature, Dr. Encomio and others lead volunteers in building oyster-shell reefs and populate them with the growing oysters. Additionally, oyster shells are collected at local restaurants, including:
The shells are quarantined and then bagged by staff and volunteers and deployed to create new oyster-shell reefs in the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River estuaries. Their progress is monitored using cutting-edge acoustic technology.
For more information on how you can get involved, please contact Vincent at 772-225-0505, ext 112.
Florida Oceanographic staff and volunteers grow oyster larvae and spat at our science center. When they mature, Dr. Encomio and others lead volunteers in building oyster-shell reefs and populate them with the growing oysters. Additionally, oyster shells are collected at local restaurants, including:
| Conchy Joe's |
| New England Seafood (Jensen Beach) |
| Shucker's |
| Tin Fish |
| Shrimpers |
| Jensen Beach Ale House |
| Mulligan's (Stuart) Riverwalk Cafe |
The shells are quarantined and then bagged by staff and volunteers and deployed to create new oyster-shell reefs in the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River estuaries. Their progress is monitored using cutting-edge acoustic technology.
For more information on how you can get involved, please contact Vincent at 772-225-0505, ext 112.
