Half Shells for Habitat is a Long Island-wide partnership that collects waste oyster shells from restaurants for the purpose of returning them to Long Island's estuarine waters through oyster restoration and other habitat improvement projects.

 

Beginning in 2023, VOBEC enlisted the cooperation of the restaurants in Ocean Beach to recover their oyster shells for this program.  With the help of the Fire Island Ferries, barrels filled with oyster shells are transported off island on a weekly basis during the season, where they are picked up by Half Shells for Habitat. In addition to restaurants, we are pursuing ways of collecting oyster shells directly from the beach. 

These shells are then transformed into “oyster balls” and are an important natural marine resource that play a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Most significantly, they provide critical foundation upon which juvenile oysters attach and grow. After generations, this process builds oyster reefs, which provide valuable wildlife habitat and enhance coastal resiliency. Oyster shells are also important for water quality: as they dissolve, they release calcium carbonate, which helps to buffer the pH of estuarine waters and combat rising coastal acidification.

You can watch a 23-minute documentary that highlights the Town of Islip's commitment to improving water quality in the Great South Bay through the Bay Bottom Licensing Program. The link for the video entitled The Blue Point Oyster” can be found here: https://youtu.be/b0faKJUyjp8. 

Unfortunately, most oyster shells consumed on Long Island are thrown away and end up in landfills or incinerators. Few ever get back to the water to play their important role in the ecosystem. Through the efforts of Half Shells for Habitat and VOBEC, we are increasing that number every year!