Building oyster sanctuaries: Barges drop rocks into Pamlico Sound to create haven for oysters

Rock by the barge full is currently being dropped into a section of the Pamlico Sound as part of an oyster sanctuary on the NC coast.

Worldwide oyster populations are struggling, and while they may not seem like a species of importance, scientists say oysters are incredibly valuable to their ecosystems in many different ways.

Now the state and a nonprofit are working together to restore oyster populations.

“The idea is that we build these reefs by putting material on the bottom like you the granite see behind us. We build these in strategic locations in Pamlico Sound where oyster larvae will settle, they’ll grow to adult oysters and spawn to other areas in the Sound that are in need," said Jordan Byrum, Artificial Reef Coordinator.

These sanctuaries work exactly like their name suggests. Experts say they provide a haven for millions of oysters to grow.

Erin Fleckenstein, North Carolina Coastal Federation Coastal Scientist said, “They are very small but their impact is very large in the sound both from the water quality and filtration perspective, the way they are able to spawn and help with the wild oyster reefs in the sound and then the fish habitat that they’re providing.”

Oyster populations have been struggling for the past century.

“Worldwide Oyster populations are in peril we’ve lost in excess of 90% of across the globe," he said.

That’s why the division of marine fisheries began their oyster restoration program nearly 30 years ago.

“This has been going on since 1996 we’ve built basically from Roanoke Island to here in the Southern Pamlico Sound," he said.

And 16 years ago the North Carolina Coastal Federation joined in on the effort.

“We got involved in oyster sanctuary work in 2008 when NOAA announced their American Recovery and Reinvestment funding and we helped to bring some logistical connections as well as funding support to the Division of Marine Fisheries for the oyster sanctuary construction," he said.

This spring and summer the work is continuing in the Pamlico Sound, where the groups hope to construct another 30 to 40 acres.

“This year we’re ramping up we’ve got more material and more acreage built than we ever have in a single year and we’re poised to continue that for the next two years," he said.

The division of marine fisheries and the North Carolina coastal federation have almost reached their goal of building 500 acres of oyster sanctuaries.

Once they hit that mark they will then evaluate if more are needed.