Reef balls to boost oyster population

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Twelve concrete reef balls covered with baby oysters made by Chesapeake Bay Foundation volunteers and staff were placed in the Lafayette River in hopes of boosting the river's oyster population Monday.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) boats carried the "reef balls" from the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club at 10:45 a.m. Monday to the Lafayette River near The Hermitage shoreline. Once there, CBF staff lowered each reef ball by crane to the bottom of the river to create an artificial reef.

CBF oyster restoration specialists believe the new artificial reef will provide good habitat for naturally produced oyster larvae to settle upon, increasing the size of the reef over time, according to a release from the CBF. Not only will the artificial reef provide a suitable surface for spawning oysters, it will also become a magnet for fish and other aquatic animals, enhance the river's ecosystem, and help filter the water.

In similar cases where concrete reef balls have been used, a fully functioning, vibrant reef results in just one year.

On the web:

What CBF is doing and how you can help
States new oyster restoration plan
Chesapeake Bay Foundation