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YEAR 2009 - CRP Project #8001 (Gulf of Mexico)
Project #8001
Naples Bay Shellfish Restoration
Naples, Florida
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Project name: |
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Naples Bay Shellfish Restoration |
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Project number: |
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8001 |
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Project status: |
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In Progress |
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Grant Administrator: |
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Gulf of Mexico Foundation (for NOAA) |
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Grantee: |
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City of Naples, Florida |
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Project location: |
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Naples Bay Estuary |
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Grant period: |
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Jan 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010 |
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Grant amount: |
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$5,000 |
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Land Ownership: |
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Public, State of Florida |
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Lat/Long: |
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26.11,/81.79 |
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Types of Habitat: |
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Oyster beds (estuary) |
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Project leader: |
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Katie Laakkonen, Environmental Specialist
City of Naples, Florida
Naples City Hall
735 Eighth Street South
Naples, FL 34102
www.naplesgov.com |
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Project location in relation to Florida Gulf Coast |
Species Benefiting From Restoration:
• American Oyster (Crassostrea virginica)
• Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)
• Shoalgrass (Halodule wrightii)
Acres of Habitat To be Restored:
Anticipated .5 to 1 acre of oyster reef habitat
Project Summary:
This project will be modeled after the efforts of the
Chesapeake Bay Foundation and their Oyster Gardening Program.
The City of Naples. Natural Resources Division will engage
residents who have a dock on the water as volunteers in a
local oyster gardening program which will bring awareness to
the diminished oyster population. Small spat housed in mesh
cages will be provided to each willing participant and the
floating cages will be attached to the dock far 6-8 months or
until the oysters have reached an adult size. The farmed
oysters will then be planted on created reefs using shell
bags or on naturally occurring hard substrate. Progress of
the oysters and success of the project will be monitored and
recorded at set intervals.
Project Goals:
- Restore a portion of degraded oyster habitat in
Naples Bay, in turn enhancing water quality, with
quantifiable ecological improvements.
- Foster
environmental stewardship and heighten awareness of Naples
Bay residents regarding local water quality issues and the
challenges facing the bay by actively engaging them in the
restoration process.
On-The-Ground Activities:
- Volunteer will participate in oyster gardening of Crassostrea
virginica
- Transfer volunteer-raised spat to existing and
created reef structures
- Evaluate survival and success of
planted oysters
Community Involvement:
Through the Shellfish Restoration Program, the City will
foster collaborative community stewardship efforts and
volunteers will actively participate in the restoration of
Naples Bay. This will have a sustained long term benefit to
the community by having an increased understanding in the
critical issues that affect the health of Naples Bay.
Residents will also learn about the importance of oysters and
why it is necessary to restore these habitats in the bay.
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