Olympia Oyster Restoration in Puget Sound

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