Oyster Reef Restoration Project Summer Update

This summer was a very successful season for the Mosquito Lagoon Oyster Reef Restoration Project, a partnership between Brevard Zoo and University of Central Florida. 

On Friday, July 27, Brevard Zoo joined UCF, along with a group of volunteers from the U.S. Navy, to conduct quality control and inspection of each of the eight oyster reefs that were restored this year. The team visited each oyster reef and checked every oyster mat to ensure proper installation into the Mosquito Lagoon. The day also included the placement of more than 100 oyster mats on reefs that needed just a few finishing touches. At the end of the day, all of the oyster reefs were in tip-top shape and ready to provide life-saving habitat to oyster larvae and many other species in the lagoon! 

We are proud to announce the Summer 2012 oyster mat deployment season ended with record-breaking numbers, a total of 5,878 oyster mats were deployed to create eight restored oyster reefs! The largest oyster reef created this year is made up of 1,617 oyster mats. The oyster reef built and named by Brevard Zoo, "Oscar Reef", is made up of 509 oyster mats.

All of this success could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of all the volunteers who contributed to this important restoration project in the Mosquito Lagoon.