Oysters in Barnegat Bay
Reclam the Bay member Dave Moore would like help with his project of
identifying locations where wild oyster are found in Barnegat Bay.
The idea is to use all available eyes to keep a look out and document the presence of eastern oysters in Barnegat Bay, adjacent lagoons and tributaries.
As an
example, oysters were found on the riprap of Oyster Creek, on rocks at
the inlet, attached to the bulkhead at Barnegat town dock and occasional
boat bottoms.
Other places to look include any hard surface (substrate) and where ribbed mussels attached to the salt marsh sod bank margins. They seem to prefer the vinyl bulkheads and other smooth attachment sites.
If possible, it would be nice to note the location, substrate, number and approximate size. One could either use a hand held GPS, or pick up a DEP shellfish map and mark the location as well as notes on it.
The DEP shellfish map can be found at New Jersey 2012 Shellfish Growing Water Classification Charts
Best time to look is on a low or blow out tide and it makes a great excuse for a kayak tour
Any questions or to submit finds please go to:
