PORT PHILLIP: Help for the Bay
The Nature Conservancy has announced an innovative marine restoration project to help the recovery of shellfish reef ecosystems in Port Phillip Bay.
Evidence shows that kelp can help the natural recruitment of bivalves (for example, oysters and mussels) enabling them to establish and survive at higher rates.
Exploring the strength of this symbiotic relationship is at the core of TNC’s Port Phillip Bay Multispecies Reef Restoration Project, the first ever multi-species restoration trial involving kelp and shellfish reefs in Victoria.
Through a rigorous science-backed approach, the project is piloting new marine restoration techniques to help accelerate ecosystem recovery for the benefit of both people and nature.
“Evidence demonstrates that kelp can help to increase the settlement of shellfish onto the reef base, particularly on the top side of the reef where, often, nuisance filamentous algae can grow. The kelp helps to keep the limestone rocks clean, and encourages shellfish to naturally settle,” Scott Breschkin (pictured), Conservation Officer for TNC said.