Oyster Restoration Project

Get involved with G.E.O.R.G.I.A., our community-based oyster restoration project.

Georgia’s oyster populations were once immense but over-fishing, habitat degradation and disease have considerably impacted these estuarine communities. UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant coordinate a community-based oyster restoration project called G.E.O.R.G.I.A. where recycled oyster shell are used to create new oyster reefs. This project helps build public awareness of the importance of oyster reef habitat along the Georgia coast.

Intertidal oysters are described as a “keystone” species for the critical role they play in maintaining a healthy coastal ecosystem. Dense populations of oysters can significantly improve water clarity and quality by filtering algae and pollutants.

These reefs also provide a hard substrate in the otherwise soft, muddy substrates of Georgia’s estuaries for oyster larvae and other organisms to settle, attach and grow. Intertidal reefs provide spawning, breeding, feeding and nursery habitat for many commercial, recreational and sport species that are ecologically important to the region.

Georgia has approximately one-third of the remaining coastal salt marshes on the East Coast of the United States. Intertidal reefs protect these marshes against shoreline erosion by dissipating the energy caused by boat wakes and waves. Oysters are also an important food source for humans and many other animals.

How can you get involved?

Donate the shell from your oyster roasts:
Are you planning a private oyster roast? Do you own a seafood restaurant that serves oysters? Donate your shell to the G.E.O.R.G.I.A. program. Call UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant to have our staff organize a shell collection. Alternatively, you can drop off shell at one of the recycling centers – Learn more here. 

Oyster Reef Building:
Oyster reef building and enhancement takes place during the spring months as volunteers move the mesh bags of cured oyster shell to selected oyster reef sites. The shell inside the bags create the substrate for oysters and other organisms to attach and grow during the upcoming spawning season.