the restaurants all over Florida do this, nothing new
erossthescienceboss2025-11-12 19:23
NBC, since this is your actual account: please hire science reporters. And stop firing the ones you already have. Our knowledge and experience is valuable, and this story is a great example of why.
Because people with actual industry knowledge can tell you that 1) all oyster fisheries do this, not just New Jersey, and that 2) you literally cannot farm oysters without old oyster shells.
Juvenile oysters, called “sprat”, will *only attach to and grow on pre-existing oyster shells.* Every oyster fishery is a deliberately created “reef.”
Even emptying the oysters into bays and near shore to recreate reefs that will not be used for aquaculture isn’t unique to New Jersey. This is a technique employed across the entire eastern sea board because oyster reefs are very effective at preventing shoreline erosion.
It’s also, ultimately, a futile effort: ocean acidification (just like climate change, caused by carbon emissions!) is slowly eating away at these reefs. It’s a temporary solution to shoreline erosion at best, and will do little to prevent the higher seas and bigger storms that climate change is bringing.
aliph2025-11-14 03:57
One problem at a time. Rebuilding oyster reefs is an important step to rebuilding natural ecosystems and preventing further decline.
erossthescienceboss2025-11-14 17:49
I’m not saying they shouldn’t rebuild oyster reefs.
I’m saying this is bad science journalism.
Whoever reported this uncritically reported a press release from the company that partnered with New Jersey. It’s the company’s PR spin, attempting to make it seem like standard industry practice is their new green initiative.
In reality, the actual “news” here (as in: what’s new) is a company got a contract.
FordBeWithYou2025-11-15 14:48
Incredible comment in every way. Thank you for not only enlightening about the topic at hand, BUT shedding light on the journalism being done.
megslikescrolling2025-11-12 22:27
We saw that on a dolphin cruise on a bay in the OBX area
Turbulent_Spell37642025-11-12 22:48
Well thats fucking awesome
Strange-Spinach-97252025-11-13 09:42
This is a great idea. I wonder how advanced we can get with super walls.
Aggravating-Hippo4072025-11-13 16:24
Nice\! Nature wins again.
SpecialK6232025-11-13 21:14
It took him this long to do that huh
Mattyou19662025-11-13 23:10
No old shells, no new oysters 🦪
They better recycle them
Commentaires
Because people with actual industry knowledge can tell you that 1) all oyster fisheries do this, not just New Jersey, and that 2) you literally cannot farm oysters without old oyster shells.
Juvenile oysters, called “sprat”, will *only attach to and grow on pre-existing oyster shells.* Every oyster fishery is a deliberately created “reef.”
Even emptying the oysters into bays and near shore to recreate reefs that will not be used for aquaculture isn’t unique to New Jersey. This is a technique employed across the entire eastern sea board because oyster reefs are very effective at preventing shoreline erosion.
It’s also, ultimately, a futile effort: ocean acidification (just like climate change, caused by carbon emissions!) is slowly eating away at these reefs. It’s a temporary solution to shoreline erosion at best, and will do little to prevent the higher seas and bigger storms that climate change is bringing.
I’m saying this is bad science journalism.
Whoever reported this uncritically reported a press release from the company that partnered with New Jersey. It’s the company’s PR spin, attempting to make it seem like standard industry practice is their new green initiative.
In reality, the actual “news” here (as in: what’s new) is a company got a contract.
They better recycle them