This presentation contains survival growth data from a successful pilot project to determine if oysters could survive in Dorchester's Malibu Bay. The Massachusetts Oyster Project for Clean Water conducted the pilot as part of its ongoing effort to restore oysters to the estuaries of Boston Harbor. To learn more visit www.massoyster.org

1. massoyster.org
The Massachusetts Oyster Project For Clean WaterThe Massachusetts Oyster Project For Clean Water
Restoring oysters to their natural range to improve harborRestoring oysters to their natural range to improve harbor
water qualitywater quality
20102010
Oyster Growth DataOyster Growth Data
Dorchester Yacht ClubDorchester Yacht Club
Malibu BayMalibu Bay
Boston, MABoston, MA

2. massoyster.org
Our GoalOur Goal
Re-establish protected oyster reefRe-establish protected oyster reef
populations in the waters of Boston Harborpopulations in the waters of Boston Harbor
to improve water quality, offset run-offto improve water quality, offset run-off
pollution, attract other sea life and helppollution, attract other sea life and help
perpetuate the species.perpetuate the species.
These oysters will be placed in areas closedThese oysters will be placed in areas closed
to shell fishing and are not intended to beto shell fishing and are not intended to be
harvested.harvested.

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Oyster BenefitsOyster Benefits
 Filtering water in rivers and tidal estuariesFiltering water in rivers and tidal estuaries
 30 gallons per oyster per day30 gallons per oyster per day
 Feeding on phytoplankton and siltFeeding on phytoplankton and silt
 Improves water clarityImproves water clarity
 Offsetting impact from sewer overflows and other manmadeOffsetting impact from sewer overflows and other manmade
pollutantspollutants
 Capturing nitrogen, algae and bacteriaCapturing nitrogen, algae and bacteria
 Buffering ocean acidificationBuffering ocean acidification
 Cleaner water attracts other sea life and peopleCleaner water attracts other sea life and people
Crassostrea Virginica

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Oysters in Malibu BayOysters in Malibu Bay
DorchesterDorchester
 Oysters were placed on November 26Oysters were placed on November 26thth
2009 under the2009 under the
auspices of a scientific permit from Massachusettsauspices of a scientific permit from Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries.Division of Marine Fisheries.
 The oysters were split into two groups. Each group wasThe oysters were split into two groups. Each group was
suspended off of a dock in two stacked milk crates.suspended off of a dock in two stacked milk crates.
 The milk crates were checked periodically and theThe milk crates were checked periodically and the
oysters were measured.oysters were measured.
 Two sets of oysters were placed.Two sets of oysters were placed.
 One was lost during dock construction.One was lost during dock construction.
 The second was lost temporarily but recoveredThe second was lost temporarily but recovered
 Key lesson on placement- choose discrete permanent location.Key lesson on placement- choose discrete permanent location.
 Oysters removed on October 1, 2010 per the request ofOysters removed on October 1, 2010 per the request of
DMF.DMF.

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Boston Harbor MapBoston Harbor Map
Dorchester
Yacht Club
In Malibu Bay
The bay has full, 12
foot tidal swings and
a muddy bottom.
The edges contain
sandy beach,
mudflats, wetland
grass and stony
areas.

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A special “Thank you” to Al and theA special “Thank you” to Al and the
membership of Dorchester Yacht Club.membership of Dorchester Yacht Club.
They are very interested in improving the Harbor andThey are very interested in improving the Harbor and
delightful to terrific to work with.delightful to terrific to work with.

7. massoyster.org
Oyster SizeOyster Size
OYSTER LENGTH
(Location: DORCHESTER YACHT CLUB)
12
32
52
72
May 21 2010 June 21 2010 July 28 2010 September 1,
2010
October 1, 2010
SIZE(MM)
Max. Shell Length
Mean Shell Length
Min. Shell Length

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Oyster Size NormalizedOyster Size Normalized
HistogramsHistograms
Normalized Histograms Dorchester
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
14
17
20
23
26
29
32
35
38
41
44
47
50
53
56
59
62
65
68
71
74
77
80
83
86
89
Size
May-10
10-Oct

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Length Standard DeviationLength Standard Deviation
Length Standard Deviation Dorchester Oysters
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
May 21 2010 June 21 2010 July 28 2010 September 1, 2010 October 1, 2010
Millimeters
We physically lost
some oysters
here, which may
have narrowed
the sample.
It seemed like the oysters had a target length for entering the
second winter ~75 mm

10. massoyster.org
Normalized Size HistogramNormalized Size Histogram
Normalized Histograms Dorchester
14
17
20
23
26
29
32
35
38
41
44
47
50
53
56
59
62
65
68
71
74
77
80
83
86
89
Size
10-Oct

11. massoyster.org
Average Weight Dorchester Oysters
0.000
0.010
0.020
0.030
0.040
0.050
0.060
0.070
0.080
0.090
May 21 2010 June 21 2010 July 28 2010 September 1,
2010
October 1, 2010
Pounds
Oyster Weight in PoundsOyster Weight in Pounds

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Water Temperature DataWater Temperature Data
Temperature Dorchester Yacht Club
(Degrees F)
Captured Using I-Button measuring every four hours.
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
10/14/2009 12/3/2009 1/22/2010 3/13/2010 5/2/2010 6/21/2010 8/10/2010 9/29/2010 11/18/2010

13. massoyster.org
ConclusionsConclusions
 Oysters can survive in Dorchester’s Malibu Bay in aOysters can survive in Dorchester’s Malibu Bay in a
caged environment.caged environment.
 Oysters can grow at a healthy pace in Dorchester’sOysters can grow at a healthy pace in Dorchester’s
Malibu Bay while suspended in the Water Column.Malibu Bay while suspended in the Water Column.
 We saw no sign of reproduction. However, we were notWe saw no sign of reproduction. However, we were not
anticipating it. Further study would be required to confirmanticipating it. Further study would be required to confirm
that reproduction is possible in this environment.that reproduction is possible in this environment.
However, the impressive growth may inidicate favorableHowever, the impressive growth may inidicate favorable
conditions.conditions.
 Given that oysters once were prevalent throughoutGiven that oysters once were prevalent throughout
Boston Harbor and that there are significantBoston Harbor and that there are significant
environmental benefits from their presence, furtherenvironmental benefits from their presence, further
research and restoration efforts on this topic may beresearch and restoration efforts on this topic may be
warranted.warranted.