South Fork Sea Farmers Create an Oyster Reef in Accabonac Harbor

South Fork Sea Farmers, a not for profit dedicated to the health of our marine environment, today announces that a new reef will be started in the waters of Accabonac Harbor off Landing Lane. This reef will provide a ‘home’ to seeded oysters which will promote the health of local waters.

“The Town of East Hampton has provided opportunities for local volunteer students to create this reef as an educational project.” said John ‘Barley’ Dunne, Director of the East Hampton Shellfish Hatchery for The Town of East Hampton and Bob Tymann,a board member of South Fork Sea Farmers.

Each oyster filters 50 gallons of water each day helping to keep the marine environment healthy and thriving. By building this reef, the volunteer high school and 6th grade students can become stewards of our marine environment – and monitor the progress of the reef. South Fork Sea Farmers donated the bio-degradable bags, purchased from the Netherlands, that provide the foundation of the new reef. The bags are filled with ‘used’ oyster shells thus repurposing what would otherwise be trash.

Tides and weather converge to make next Monday the perfect time; waters are warm and low tide is at noon. High school students will be transported by boat from the East Hampton Shellfish Nursery on Gann Road; 6th graders will meet at Landing Lane at 10:00. Students will be wading into knee-deep waters surrounding Landing Lane.

For more info, visit www.SouthForkSeaFarmers.org