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The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Resources Division (CRD) recently continued a habitat enhancement project at the Romerly Marsh Creek inshore artificial reef in Chatham Countyplacing clean oyster cultch material along the northern bank of the creek.
The project created approximately 0.006 acres of oyster reef habitat within the intertidal zone north of Wassaw Island (31.93207° N, 80.98801° W), using 60 small pyramid-shaped modules along about 190 feet of shoreline.
Oyster reefs are considered a critical coastal ecosystem, providing essential fish habitat, supporting recreational fishing, improving biodiversity, filtering water, stabilizing shorelines. Because of these benefits, oyster reefs serve as a focal point for increasing community stewardship of coastal resources.
“Restoring oyster habitat is one of the most effective and economical ways to strengthen the health of our estuaries,” said Cameron Brinton, a CRD marine biologist who spearheaded the deployment. “Enhancement projects like this support fish and wildlife, improve water quality and offer long-term ecological and social benefits to the residents of Chatham County and beyond.”
Volunteers from Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Georgia assisted in the Dec. 12 deployment, helping to load the 100-pound concrete pyramids onto a 40-foot pontoon boat and placing them in the water at Romerly Marsh Creek. The concrete pyramids were molded and donated by Smyrna Ready Mix Concrete (SRM), a family-owned ready-mix, aggregates and cement company, at no cost to CRD or the State of Georgia using leftover concrete.
“We are excited to continue this partnership with CCA and SRM, building more of these modules with concrete that otherwise would have had little value.” continued Cameron Brinton “Many of the projects we do to restore and enhance marine habitat would not be possible without volunteers and donations from the community and our partners.”
The deployed reef will create structure along 190 feet of shoreline, positioned roughly 550 feet from the main channel of Romerly Marsh Creek, where the water depth reaches about 23 feet. The modules total about four cubic yards of concrete and were installed using best management practices to ensure the protection of publicly owned intertidal marshlands.
This enhancement is expected to improve habitat for numerous estuarine species and strengthen recreational fishing opportunities in an area heavily used by coastal anglers. It will provide substrates for oysters to grow, which will in turn attract fish like sheepshead, spotted seatrout, and red drum. The project also provides opportunities for public education on the ecological importance of oyster reefs and their role in coastal resilience.
CRD plans and implements artificial reef projects like this one through a deliberate, responsible process conducted in coordination with federal agencies to ensure safe navigation for vessels and the protection of marsh and marine resources at all steps from material and site selection to the methods used to construct the reef. In the coming months CRD will monitor the project site to evaluate reef development and the stability of the reef materials.
To get involved in artificial reef creation, contact CRD at 912-264-7218. For more information on Georgia’s inshore artificial reef program or oyster restoration initiatives, visit CoastalGaDNR.org/HERU.
📸View a photo and video gallery of the deployment
About the Coastal Resources Division
The mission of the Coastal Resources Division is to balance coastal development and protection of the coast's natural assets, socio-cultural heritage and recreational resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
Media Contact
Tyler Jones
Public Information Officer
Coastal Resources Division
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
tyler.jones@dnr.ga.gov
912-230-9709