September - October 2018
7
boatingonthehudson.com
oysters grow closer at hand - they will never be
for consumption near the harbort - it is about
having this biological filter synergize with the
slow improvements in water quality generated by
the federal Clean Water Act so that all life in the
river can proliferate and be more resilient.”
Dr Hare went on to say: “Finally, with respect to
the Tappan Zee oyster population. Nobody knew
the extent of this population before the Thruway
authority (AKRF) did their surveys. Most estuaries
(like the Chesapeake) have their highest oyster
abundance in the middle reaches of the estuary
where oceanic salinity has been moderated and
oysters can more easily escape the pathogens
and predators that live closer to the ocean.
The middle part of the Hudson/Raritan Estuary,
in terms of salinity, is at the NYC harbor. In the
Gabion reef
structure, (Note
these structures are
purposely built of
uncoated steel so
they will rust out,
leaving the oyster
to grow on their
own clinging to the
empty oyster shells
placed with them.)
One of the Billion Oyster groups in New York
Harbor working on this amazing project.