Farmers transporting and deploying shell to the restoration sites
Farms and Restoration
2,701,932 farmed oysters have been deployed from 2020-2025
Three projects have been established in NH to purchase and deploy farmed (usually 3+ inches) oysters “uglies” or surplus oysters that are not suitable for the market but have conservation value by providing ecosystem services (reproducing, filtering water, reef forming and providing habitat for fish and invertebrates). These oysters have been deployed on multiple restoration sites 2020-2025 and we will continue to deploy oysters in 2026.
The funding agencies involved are:
• The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS/USDA), EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) projects (Grizzle Lab)
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC), SOAR (Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration) project (Grizzle Lab provides permitted restoration areas and all monitoring)
• Municipal Alliance for Adaptive Management (MAAM 2023-2025), Municipal Alliance for Adaptive Management | City of Portsmouth
NH farms involved in restoration