olympia oyster restoration in puget sound
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Olympia Oyster Restoration in Puget Sound. Brian AllenBetsy Lyons, TNC Betsy PeabodyTristan Peter-Contesse. Goals. Re-establish naturally reproducing populations of Olympia oysters throughout their native range - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Olympia Oyster Olympia Oyster Restoration in Puget Restoration in Puget
SoundSound
Brian Allen Betsy Lyons, TNCBetsy Peabody Tristan Peter-Contesse
GoalsGoals
Re-establish naturally reproducing populations of Olympia oysters throughout their native range
Increase oyster abundance and the ecologic benefits associated with that abundance
Geographic Geographic focus – focus –
Puget SoundPuget Sound
Progress to dateProgress to date
7 million native oysters spread at 80 sites since 1999
1 acre of tidelands in Liberty Bay enhanced with shell in 2005 and 2006
Pilot enhancement in Henderson Inlet
5 acres of enhancements planned in 2007
PartnersPartners Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Tribes (Suquamish, Skokomish, Squaxin, Lummi,
Jamestown S’Klallam, Samish, Swinomish Commercial Growers (Taylor, Seattle Shellfish, Oly Oyster
Co., Little Skookum) NOAA Community-based Restoration Program Public and Private tideland owners The Nature Conservancy EPA Marine Resources Committees U.S. Navy National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Local Governments (King, Skagit, Jefferson, Kitsap,
Clallam) Washington Department of Natural Resources Reporters (newspapers, magazines, TV, radio)
Where it All Began:Where it All Began:
1998 – Olympia Oyster 1998 – Olympia Oyster Stock Rebuilding PlanStock Rebuilding Plan
Washington Department Washington Department of Fish & Wildlifeof Fish & Wildlife
New Directions & PrioritiesNew Directions & Priorities
1. Habitat Enhancement 1. Habitat Enhancement Emerging as Key StrategyEmerging as Key Strategy
Enhance substrate with shell near existing populations where substrate is too soft to support settlement
This enables remnant population to recolonize historic areas AND
Maintains genetic integrity of local population
Bulk Shell PlacementBulk Shell Placement
Experimental Bag Experimental Bag ConfigurationsConfigurations
Scandia, Liberty BayScandia, Liberty Bay
Woodard Bay, Henderson Woodard Bay, Henderson InletInlet
The Nature ConservancyThe Nature Conservancy
2005 2005 phase 1phase 1
•Baseline ecological assessment
•Larval availability
•Recruitment potential
•Post-settlement survival
20062006 phase 2 phase 2
Goals
Continue oyster recruitment monitoring Experimental 1m2 habitat enhancement plots Compare post-settlement survival by location and
elevation Expand restoration in 2007 based on lessons learned
Schedule for data collection
•Survival assessment in November 2006
•Recruitment monitoring June through September 2006
•Continue oyster and benthic community assessment in experimental plots in 2007
Frye Cove, Eld Inlet, TNCFrye Cove, Eld Inlet, TNC
Dogfish Bay, Liberty BayDogfish Bay, Liberty Bay
Raab’s Lagoon, Vashon Isl.Raab’s Lagoon, Vashon Isl.
Fidalgo BayFidalgo Bay
Jackson Jackson Park, Dyes Park, Dyes
InletInlet
2. Seeding in Select 2. Seeding in Select LocationsLocations
In the absence of genetic information, seeding is only pursued in areas where there is clearly no larval production and no local population to trigger a comeback – and then only if there is a population relatively nearby.
Three methods for producing Three methods for producing seed or Transplanting adult seed or Transplanting adult
oystersoysters
Geographic Geographic basins within basins within which we can which we can
transfer seed are transfer seed are becoming more becoming more
restrictiverestrictive
3.3. Monitoring Ecological Monitoring Ecological Services –Services –
An Increasing Priority An Increasing Priority
4. Searching 4. Searching for Remnant for Remnant Populations Populations Essential to Essential to
regional-scale regional-scale habitat habitat
enhancementenhancement
5. Forging the Oyster 5. Forging the Oyster Salmon ConnectionSalmon Connection
Oyster restoration in the lower intertidal is the missing link in salmon recovery efforts
Quantitative monitoring data on ecological benefits of oyster restoration is essential to securing money
6. Working more closely 6. Working more closely with Tribeswith Tribes
Research historic tribal harvesting sites to target restoration activities
Develop notification and partnership programs with tribes for near-shore activities
7. Determining genetic 7. Determining genetic relationship of each relationship of each
populationpopulation
Geographic area within which restoration can occur is tightening in the absence of genetic information
Until remnant populations are located, restoration is at a standstill in San Juan Islands and the North Sound.
8. Establishing more oyster 8. Establishing more oyster nurseriesnurseries
9. Mapping the physical 9. Mapping the physical and ecological features of and ecological features of
an untouched natural bed -an untouched natural bed -Vancouver IslandVancouver Island
10. Achieving Self-10. Achieving Self-Sustaining populationsSustaining populations
Sizes of Native Oysters Planted Prior to 2005
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54
Size (mm)
Fre
qu
ency
(%
)
Aug-03 Aug-04 Aug-06
Sample Date:
Ongoing ChallengesOngoing ChallengesPermittingDiseasesExotic speciesSeed productionLogistics of
larger-scale enhancement
Coordination with other species restoration efforts
Restoration ImperativeRestoration Imperative
We need a system that is productive, full of life and capable of sustaining us.
- Looks vs. Substance
Oysters are an essential part of that system.
Why oysters and Why oysters and restoration matterrestoration matter
Improve the ecosystem (filtration, habitat, food)
Give people an incentive to protect clean water and habitat
Make the resource REAL – people need to experience the productivity of Puget Sound to value it.
Abundance Abundance ANDAND
Local Food ProductionLocal Food Production
Olympia oyster Olympia oyster PantheonPantheon