2015-11-10 - P&O Agenda - Item 7, Attach 3 - History of Aquatic Restoration and Management Options for Noosa Estuary and Lakes

Figure 1 Reconstructed oyster reef in Mobile Bay, Alabama.


The principal reasons why oyster reefs were considered by the team of experts to be the
priority habitat restoration activity are that Noosa Estuary has extensive mangrove habitat,
and a reasonable amount of seagrass habitat, such that investment in increasing the area of
these habitats is likely to be subject to diminishing returns. In contrast, reefs formed from
oysters appear likely to have been a historical component of Noosa Estuary3 but are now
almost entirely missing. As such, restoring oyster reef habitat is likely to make an important
contribution to restoring the ecology of Noosa Estuary. Additionally, oysters still exist in
Noosa Estuary and appear on most hard structures (e.g., wharf pylons, see Figure 2) and in
some places on the substrate (e.g., Weyba Creek), suggesting that water quality is unlikely
to be a limiting factor in the development of oyster reefs and that reef restoration has a
reasonable chance of success.
In order to more thoroughly evaluate the potential for oyster reef restoration in Noosa
Estuary, it would be a priority to investigate current rates and distribution of oyster
recruitment within the estuary.
These recommendations are not an indication of TNC’s commitment to further work in the
Noosa Estuary.




3
 Beck, M., D. R. Brumbaugh, L. Airoldi, A. Carranza, L. D. Coen, C. Crawford, O. Defeo, G. J. Edgar, B. Hancock, M. C. Kay, H. S. Lenihan, M.
W. Luckenback, C. L. Toropova, G. Zhang, and X. Guo. 2011. Oyster reefs at risk and recommendations for conservation, restoration, and
management. Bioscience 61:107-116.


                                                                                                                                            3