Volunteers install reef balls in Eastchester Bay to restore oyster populations
Six concrete structures were placed near City Island to encourage native oyster growth and provide marine life shelter.
Volunteers from City Island Oyster Reef carried six 175-pound concrete reef balls into Eastchester Bay near Delmour's Point on October 9, 2026. According to the Times of India, the installation marks the organisation's first placement of permanent reef structures in the area.
The project follows seven years of research and planning aimed at helping native oysters establish a self-sustaining reef. Since its founding in 2019, the group has monitored water quality and conducted underwater surveys to find suitable seabed locations for oyster growth.
The reef balls had been held at the Cornell Cooperative Extension's marine hatchery in Southold since June 2026. During that time, the structures were seeded with oyster larvae on two occasions before being moved to City Island.
The structures serve as submerged surfaces for young oysters to attach to. As they grow, they can form living reefs that offer feeding grounds and shelter for species such as fish, crabs, and shrimp.
The installation also served as a memorial for eight contributors to the organisation. Their names were engraved on identification tags attached to the reef balls.
Following the installation, the organisation's volunteer scuba diving team reported seeing healthy oysters, fish, crabs, and shrimp while inspecting the site.