New DNR oyster reef model aims to protect property from erosion

In recent years, South Carolina marine biologists have learned abandoned crab traps serve a better purpose in the water than in a landfill. Now they are working on an oyster reef model that might provide private property owners protection from erosion.

A new oyster reef will be built by S.C. Department of Natural Resources scientists at the Port Royal Sound Maritime Center in Okatie on April 19 with the help of students from John Paul II Catholic School’s environmental science class. The new reef will join an existing one built last year of recycled shells and some concrete coated crab traps.

But the new project will take a somewhat different shape. The pre-made crab-trap structures will be a pilot study scientists hope will provide property owners a method for reducing erosion and stabilizing shorelines.

“Right now there’s nothing you can put as a private homeowner in front of your house that’s an artificial reef system,” said Christopher Kehrer, naturalist and education coordinator at the Maritime Center. “You have to build a wall or go through these other processes.”

Protecting Beaufort County property from erosion became an issue for some residents during heavy rain and high water in October. S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control emergency orders allowed homeowners on Harbor Island and Daufuskie Island to use sand bags and additional sand from elsewhere on the beach to protect property from erosion.

In addition to reducing erosion and slowing waves, the oysters improve water quality and provide a habit for fish and other animals.

DNR builds reefs along the coastline when money is available through its S.C. Oyster Restoration and Enhancement program. Students from kindergarten through college are recruited to provide manpower and learn why the artificial reefs are built.

Students make up about 3,000 of the program’s 4,000 volunteers, DNR biologist Jared Hulteen said.

“We’re just trying to get people out on the shoreline and teach them about these waterways that impact them so much,” he said.

John Paul II students in Heather Rembold’s environmental science class have been monitoring the reef built last year. The students visit the reef once a month to take pictures of the progress and compile data using a DNR photo analysis program.

The Maritime Center is a short bus ride from John Paul, allowing the class to frame visits around a regular 80-minute class period.

“They love being outside,” Rembold said. “... It’s kind of fun to be out there in the muck or mud, then you’ve got to come back and sit behind a computer and analyze that.”

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 2:56 PM with the headline "New DNR oyster reef model aims to protect property from erosion."