Thank you for your interest in participating in the Living Docks and Oyster Gardening Program through Florida Oceanographic Society in collaboration with Florida Institute of Technology! We are looking for homeowners and local residents with personal or private docks to help improve water quality in the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon.

The Indian River Lagoon has experienced an increase in urbanization and freshwater discharge, which has led to an increase in algal blooms, subsequently decreasing oyster reefs and seagrass beds. To combat these changes, we will be launching a Living Docks and Oyster Gardening Program to help restore our local waterways and improve biodiversity with these simple restoration tools.

A Living Dock consists of 6 - 10 mats made from aquaculture grade mesh, with 60 - 80 dried oyster shells attached to each, which are then attached to dock pilings. The chemical composition in the shells attracts oysters, as well as other bivalves through chemical cues, and acts as natural habitat for filter-feeding organisms to settle on. In return, these communities will attract larger organisms such as fish, dolphins, and turtles creating a diverse ecosystem.

Oyster gardening is another restoration tool to improve water quality and enhance oyster reefs by protecting young oysters from predators and competition. A portion of the Living Docks will be paired with oyster gardening to see how overall water quality is impacted by the presence of both. Spat (baby oysters) will be grown off of docks for about 9 months before being returned to our locally restored reefs as stable adults.

With your help, this project will use existing docks to promote restoration of natural filter feeding communities, thus improving water quality.