Oysters Find New Home

Members of the group "ReClam the Bay" introduced about 3 million tiny oyster larvae into the waters off of Cattus Island County Park on Tuesday, June 23, 2014, as part of an ongoing effort to help keep the bay clean.

For now, the oysters are in a breeding tank, where they'll attach themselves to shells that have been painted by local school children.  In a few weeks, they'll be transferred to the oyster reef at the mouth of the Toms River, and spokesman Charles Brandt says that's when they really get to work.

"One oyster, one adult oyster, will filter about 50 gallons of water a day," Brandt said.

ReClam the Bay uses oysters and, of course, clams to help clean the water and keep it clean in the future.  Brandt says it's vitally important, especially now.

"Environmentalists tell us that if more than 30% of the land surrounding the bay is covered or impervious, you're at a tipping point," Brandt said.  "And when you reach that tipping point, the quality of the water will go down.  It just so happens that around Barnegat Bay, we are at about that 30% now."

You can still see the oysters in their breeding tank for the next few weeks.  Just go to the Cattus Island County Park Headquarters.  For directions, click here.

For more information on ReClam the Bay, click here.