Oyster reefs have been documented to provide valuable habitat structure and ecosystem services as well as socioeconomic benefits. Native reefs once dominated many estuaries ecologically and economically. Studies have shown depletion and degradation of oyster reefs worldwide. Successful restoration efforts have further demonstrated the value of oyster reefs to coastal ecosystems and communities. Reef Ball™ Modules (RBM’s) are designed to mimic natural bottom structure and are being used to address a variety of environmental concerns. Initial investigations suggest that these artificial forms may have far reaching effects in habitat and species restoration efforts including; designing and growing artificial reefs, coral propagation and planting systems, estuary restoration, mangrove plantings, erosion control, and oyster reef restoration. In 2018 students and faculty at the Sound School built five Mini-Bay RBM’s (width: 0.76m, height: 0.53m, weight: 91kg) using oyster shell as a cement additive. In May of 2018 the aquaculture laboratory at the school successfully spawned oysters. After the spawn three RBM’s were placed in a set-tank with 200µm spat. The RBM’s soaked for ten days. In June 2018 the RBM’s, three with set and two unseeded, were deployed in near shore waters by the school campus. This process was repeated in 2019 with the construction of eight additional RBMs. Six were seeded with spat and all eight were deployed expanding the reef. To date all modules with oyster set demonstrated successful oyster growth and survival over 50% of the surface. Additional recruitment from wild oyster set was documented. A variety of crab and fish species were observed using the RBM’s. Oyster growth and recruitment, water quality, and biodiversity continue to be monitored. ABSTRACT THE SOUND SCHOOL Sound School students successfully built five Mini-Bay RBMs during the 2017-18 school year using a donated mold from the Reef Ball Foundation and oyster shell as a an additive in a customized cement mix. REEF BALL CONSTRUCTION Over the past two years thirteen RBMs were deployed, nine seeded with lab cultured oyster set and four without set. The site was chosen for it’s accessibility for monitoring, proximity to a small marsh, and bottom firmness. DEPLOYMENT NOTABLE RESULTS • Over 50% oyster coverage on all seeded RBMs • Higher set success and oyster survival in the holes and interior of RBMs • Recruitment from wild oyster spawn observed on both seeded and control RBMs • Variety of fish and invertebrate species have been observed utilizing structures • Blue crab mating events within RBMs were observed and recorded NEXT STEPS • Expansion of oyster reef into living shoreline over the next 10 years • Construction and deployment of 12 RBMs annually • 6 RBMs seeded with lab cultured oyster set annually • “Living Laboratory” • Continued monitoring and development of student research projects • Habitat use and fish behavior • Marsh growth • Sedimentation • Scientific dive training to support monitoring efforts • Investigate remote video monitoring techniques • Obtain CT DEEP Certificate of Permission for permanent deployment ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Peter Solomon- [email protected] Facebook.com/SoundSchoolDive Instagram @soundschooldive The Sound School is a Regional Vocational Aquaculture Center located on ¼ mile shorefront campus in New Haven, CT. The student body averages 340 students, half from New Haven and the other half from 23 cooperating districts . The school’s unique curriculum focuses on marine trades and aquaculture with an emphasis on authentic and hands-on learning experiences. 1 The Sound School, New Haven, CT 2 Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Science P. Solomon 1 , H. Lemoine 2 , J. Roy 1 , and Sound School Students Creation of a Living Shoreline Utilizing Reef Ball Modules and Lab Cultured Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea virginica, Sets CONTACT • CT Scuba Academy • Reef Innovations • Reef Ball Foundation • New Haven Land Trust • Long Island Community Foundation • Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Science • Sacred Heart University • L. Suzio Concrete • Home Depot • Diver Alert Network • NOAA Marine Fisheries- Milford Lab • Stuart Mattison and the Sound School fish lab staff and students OYSTER SET MONITORING During the 2018-2019 school year students refined the construction process incorporating up-to-date techniques and methods to successfully build eight additional RBMs. Most notably, the mold was sprayed with a sucrose solution to increase surface texture on the RBM. In May RBMs (3 in 2018, 6 in 2019) were placed in 1677L set tanks and conditioned with a diluted vinegar soak, followed by two sea water soaks over the course of two weeks. RBMs then remained in tanks for ten days with 200µm spat which were fed algae monocultures. Fig. 1- Students work in the wooden boat shop, fish production lab, and operate the school’s marine vessel, Island Rover. Fig. 3- Oyster set was incredibly successful with nearly complete coverage. Monitoring efforts are ongoing and student led. Currently students are collecting data on water quality and oyster growth, survival, and recruitment. This fall students are developing protocols for assessing biodiversity. Fig. 7- Student divers recorded oyster sizes and estimated coverage using a 25cm 2 quadrat. A GoPro was used to record and later identify species use of the reef. Fig. 6- Current arrangement of deployed RBMs (Red dot- seeded RBM; Green dot- unseeded RBM). Fig. 10- RBM deployment plan for living shoreline. Unseeded RBMs (green) will be placed to shield seeded RBMs (red) and angled to absorb predominate wave action. Blue Crab- Callinectes sapidus American Eel- Anguilla rostrata European Green Crab- Carcinus maenas Cunner- Tautogolabrus adspersus Asian Shore Crab- Hemigrapsus sanguineus Black Sea Bass- Centropristis striata Spider Crab- Libinia emarginata Atlantic Oyster Drill- Urosalpinx cinerea Jonah Crab- Cancer borealis Channeled Whelk- Busycotypus canaliculatus Sand Shrimp- Crangon septemspinosa Rough Barnacle- Semibalanus balanoides Tautog- Tautoga onitis Red Beard Sponge- Clathria prolifera Porgie- Stenotomus chrysops Boring Sponge- Cliona celata Atlantic Silversides- Menidia menidia Golden Star Tunicate- Botryllus schlosseri Fig. 9- List of confirmed species observed on reef. Fig. 8- To date, all seeded RBMs (A and B) have over 50% coverage of oyster set while unseeded RBMs experienced extensive algae fouling (C). A B C A B Fig. 2- (A) Each year aquaculture students spawn oysters in the school fish lab. (B) An engine lift was used to raise the RBMs into set tanks lined with plastic Fig. 5- The artificial oyster reef is located 35m offshore at a depth of 2.5m at high tide. Fig. 4- The RBMs were moved into our near shore waters and deployed using lift bags by student divers.