Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project TNC Mission statement

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project Acknowledgements Megan Callahan-Grant & Kerry Griffin, NOAA Restoration Center, Portland Sue Cudd, Whiskey Creek Shellfish Hatchery, Netarts Mark Witwer, Netarts Bay oysterman Volunteers TNC Mission statement

Historic Sites of Olympia Oysters in Oregon Netarts Bay, Yaquina Bay, and Coos Bay had documented pops. Other larger bays are suspected to have had native oysters

Late 1800s: California Gold Rush Drove Demand for Native Oysters San Francisco Bay quickly depleted of Olympia Oysters Demand moves to WA and OR where oyster farms become major agricultural business 3000 baskets shipped from Tillamook Bay (Netarts) in 1862

Netarts Bay 2747 acres Cape Lookout- Sand Lake Conservation Area

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project Project Goal Restore a Self-sustaining Native Oyster Population TNC Mission statement

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project NOAA/TNC Funded Work with Partners and Local Community Learn from Local Oystermen Develop techniques and Monitor progress TNC Mission statement

Ecological Role of Olympia Oysters (Ostrea conchaphila) Habitat Development —subtidal reefs, benthic complexity supporting eelgrass beds Water Quality Management —filter feeders capable of filtering 8-12 gallons/day/oyster reducing turbidity and algal blooms while maintaining nutrient balance Food Chain —larvae and adults sought by many organisms

Netarts Bay Shellfish Reserve *Established by ODFW *Submerged Lands Managed by DSL *Site Administered by OSU *No Provisions in Regs for Restoration or Conservation Leasing *Approx. 30 ha in size

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project Collecting Broodstock TNC Mission statement

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project Spawning & Setting Native Oyster Spat TNC Mission statement

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project TNC Mission statement

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project Placing Shellbags in the Bay TNC Mission statement

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project Proper Care and Handling of Shellbags TNC Mission statement

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project Shellbag Placement in Upper Bay TNC Mission statement

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project Management Issues in Netarts Bay Eelgrass Beds Essential Salmon Habitat Wildlife Commercial Oyster Farms -12 Growers -325 acres in leases Recreational Use of bay Multiple Agencies Inability to Lease Site for Conservation TNC Mission statement

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project Native Oyster-Eelgrass Research Plots TNC Mission statement

Native Oyster-Eelgrass Research Plots

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project Spreading Shells in Plots TNC Mission statement

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project Restoration Results 2 outplantings over 2 yrs 400 shellbags, 10M. spat 0.5 ha tidelands covered Growth rates average 16 mm after 1 season, 30 mm after 2 seasons 2000 volunteer hours Local community involvement TNC Mission statement

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project Ecological Challenges Substrate Habitat Loss Sedimentation Coastal Development Invasive Species Natural Predators Changing Ocean Conditions?? TNC Mission statement

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project Invasive Species Japanese Oyster Drill Removal using volunteers, collect feral Pacific oysters from tidelands that may harbor drills TNC Mission statement

Netarts Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project Next Steps Secure Restoration Site Through Conservation Lease Develop Substrate by Adding Shell Continue Re-introduction of Oysters Increase Monitoring Effort to Detect Recruitment TNC Mission statement

TNC Global Marine Initiative Program Available at: nature TNC Global Marine Initiative Program Available at: nature.org/initiatives/marine