Plans are moving forward to establish up to six restored oyster reefs in the Mission-Aransas Estuary. The project, led by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and several environmental partners, seeks to rejuvenate oyster habitats across various bay locations.
Stakeholders, including oyster fishers, anglers, and community members, have been actively providing input. During a recent public meeting in Rockport, attendees shared insights by annotating printed maps and submitting feedback notes. This valuable input will help guide the selection of reef restoration sites, with surveys set to begin in the spring.
Community Involvement Through Sink Your Shucks Program
The public will have another opportunity to engage in the project through the Sink Your Shucks program. This initiative repurposes reclaimed oyster shells from local restaurants to construct at least one reef in St. Charles Bay. Volunteers will play a crucial role in this process, actively and sustainably rebuilding the reefs.
The project team will complete the restored reefs in 2027 and protect them from harvest. To prevent overfishing, they will construct the reefs with large boulders, ensuring they remain inaccessible to dredging or placing them in areas with strict regulatory protections.
$8.2 Million Secured for Large-Scale Restoration
The Mission-Aransas Estuary spans Aransas Bay, Copano Bay, St. Charles Bay, Mission Bay, and Redfish Bay. The TPWD recently secured $8.2 million in funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to support oyster reef restoration. This funding, backed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, comes as a response to the severe decline of oyster habitats in the region.
Healthy oyster reefs provide essential environmental benefits, such as filtering water, serving as marine habitats, and protecting shorelines from erosion and storm surges. However, according to TPWD, oyster populations have plummeted by 85% globally and 50% in the Gulf of Mexico due to coastal development, poor water quality, hurricanes, drought, and excessive fishing.
Why Oyster Reefs Need Restoration
Oyster reefs deteriorate when too many shells and oysters are removed. “Oysters rely on hard, clean surfaces for spawning and settlement,” explained Zachary Olsen, TPWD’s Ecosystem Resource Program Director. To restore the reefs, removed shells must be replaced with hard substrate, including oyster shells, limestone, or crushed concrete.
Although the restored reefs will account for only a small percentage of the total reef area, they will serve as broodstock sanctuaries—protected zones where oysters can naturally reproduce and repopulate other harvested areas. Left undisturbed, these reefs will evolve into self-sustaining ecosystems, ensuring long-term oyster population growth.
One of Texas’ Largest Oyster Restoration Initiatives
The project involves collaboration with major conservation groups, including:
- Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program
- Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve
- The Nature Conservancy
- Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies
These organizations have previously undertaken oyster restoration efforts, but this project is one of the largest in Texas to date. Past restoration efforts include Lap Reef in Copano Bay, Grass Island in Aransas Bay, Carlos Reef in Carlos Bay, and a site near Goose Island State Park in St. Charles Bay.
Reef Site Selection and Construction Timeline
Between 20 and 50 acres of broodstock sanctuary reefs will be restored, with each reef ranging from three to 10 acres. The restoration plans include:
- Up to three sites in Copano Bay or Aransas Bay
- Two sites in the Mesquite Bay complex
- One site in St. Charles Bay
Most reefs will be subtidal (deeper water), except for St. Charles Bay, which will remain shallow to allow for community volunteer participation through Sink Your Shucks.
Potential restoration locations include:
- Copano Bay – Shellbank Reef, Port Bay Entrance, Smith Channel, Copano Reef, Lap Reef Bank
- Aransas Bay – Scotch Tom, Mack Reef, Long Reef, Poverty Reef
- Mesquite Bay Complex – Third Chain, Ayers Reef, Second Chain
- St. Charles Bay – Near Goose Island State Park
Next Steps and How to Get Involved
Site evaluations will take place this spring to assess suitability for reef restoration. Once finalized, the project team will obtain the necessary permits. The design, engineering, and construction phase will commence in 2026, with reef construction scheduled for 2027.
For those interested in participating or providing feedback, TPWD encourages the public to email Joan Garland at [email protected].