The Shellfish C.A.R.E. Program began in 2021 as an initiative of Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program. It is an opportunity for citizens to gain hands on scientific and restoration experience through oysters!

Why Oysters?

Oysters are natural filters, and help improve water quality by removing excess nutrients, harmful algae, heavy metals, and suspended solids. One adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day!

C.A.R.E. focuses on raising spat on shell (SOS) oysters, which are oyster shells that have larval oysters set on them, grown at our hatchery in Southold, NY. C.A.R.E. members receive cages filled with juvenile SOS, and will clean and take weekly growth/survival measurements from July to September.

By the end of the summer, oysters will grow to be nearly 4-5cm in length! This is significantly larger than the traditional planting size for restoration, and at this size, they are far less vulnerable to predation from organisms like fish, sea stars, whelks, and oyster drills.

Why Oyster Reefs?

Through the hard work of our members, we have added tens of thousands of oysters to various reefs across Long Island! As SOS oysters grow, they turn into 3D reef structures, providing solid habitat for local species.

By planting large volumes of oysters, we create the potential for reproduction at an exponential scale. Each female oyster has the ability to produce up to 100 million eggs; not all of these will survive, but even if .001% do, that could be an addition of 1,000 oysters per female! These larvae can either make their way back onto our oyster reef or venture out and colonize their own reef.  

How do I become a C.A.R.E. member?

Contact us! The ideal location and patrons for this program would be those with access to the water, typically through a marina or yacht/boating club and not at a private home residence. Once your application has been approved and payment is received, we will provide all necessary materials and equipment, including the oyster cages. At the end of the season, all crates and oysters are collected by CCE staff for deployment onto restored oyster reefs.