In This Issue:

• Coastal Calendar
• FEATURE: Greening the Garden State Through Remediation, Assessment, and Restoration
• Jersey Beaches on "Shore" Footing
• Fishing for Regulatory Solutions
• Shellfish Restoration Program Enters Fifth Year
• Marine Science Competition Plumbs Oceans of Knowledge
• Shore Takes Center Stage in Survey

Shellfish Restoration Program Enters Fifth Year

by Cara Muscio, Marine Agent
Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension

     The Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Program (BBSRP) is a joint effort between Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Shellfisheries. This program began in 2005 with an idea and a small group of volunteers, and has spawned a non-profit organization called ReClam the Bay, Inc., and a far-reaching program that includes raising shellfish, fundraising and environmental education. The season began in late April with the BBSRP’s Annual Open House at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County Office in Toms River.

Rick Bushnell, ReClam the Bay President, Mark Mauriello, NJDEP Commissioner, and Cara Muscio, Marine Extension Agent at Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards.

     In 2008, the Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Program won a National Gold Award for Innovative Program from the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals, as well as a Communications Award for its radio outreach work. In November, the program also won an Honorable Mention in the New Jersey Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards, Healthy Ecosystems Category. Additionally, ReClam the Bay won a Governor’s Award for Excellence in Tourism for the “Clam Trail”. Gef Flimlin, Marine Agent at Rutgers Cooperative Extension was also honored by the Jersey Shore Partnership for developing the Shellfish Restoration Program.

     The program trains volunteers through weekly classes during the spring and fall, with the volunteers setting up land-based and in-water shellfish nurseries during the summer months. Once the shellfish have grown, clams are initially placed in the bay covered with predator control screen and oysters are directly placed in areas of natural oyster habitat. When the clam seed has a better chance of survival without predator control, the small clams are broadcast planted in public areas for conservation and or eventual harvest. The oysters are similarly planted on public ground that may be designated for conservation and or harvest in accordance with established regulations.

Staff and volunteers show off an upweller nursery.

     Thus far, volunteers have successfully raised through the nursery stage over 3 million clam seed and 500,000 oyster seed. The clams have been planted in Barnegat Bay in three locations and the oysters have been placed on a reef in the Mullica River and on a newly established reef at the mouth of the Toms River. However, the program has benefits far beyond the restoration of shellfish to our local coastal waters.

     The “What the Bay Hinges On” curriculum activity guide was developed through a grant from Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program to instruct teachers and volunteers how to spread information about how human actions affect shellfish and water quality. This material has been used to teach thousands through ReClam the Bay's presence at fairs and festivals, individual lectures, youth camp experiences, and upweller demonstrations. Our most innovative addition, The Clam Trail, was created as an educational centerpiece to the program. During this treasure hunt, people visit giant painted fiberglass clams, various shops and points of interest (museums, upwellers, Barnegat Light House, etc). At each point on the trail there is a “Fact Plaque” that includes scientific information for visitors to the Trail. Kids, parents and grandparents all learn about shellfish, water quality, and the Barnegat Bay in a fun and entertaining way. In addition, local radio has been used to explain the program and teach some environmental information, while leading consumers to the businesses that help to sponsor the program.

One of the famed “painted clams” on the Clam Trail.

    The Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Program enables true involvement in the bay and encourages citizens to become “guardians of the bay” by “gardening the bay.” This is accomplished by providing a living classroom where young and old can grow and care for shellfish that will be released into Barnegat Bay. They learn about water quality and the relationship between people and the environment, and then spread these messages to the general public through school programs, upweller demonstrations, fairs and festivals, media coverage, and the Clam Trail. In this way, they teach the public about the bay, and encourage them to take action in its restoration and improvement. As the program continues to grow, the impact of this community education and stewardship initiative is helping citizens to both “Reclam the Bay”, and to reclaim the Bay.

     For more information on the Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Program and ReClam the Bay, please visit the following links:
ocean.rcre.rutgers.edu/marine/bbsrp.html
reclamthebay.org