One man's waste makes another oyster's spawning bed: tons of recycled shells are spread from a barge in the Squamscott River to restore an oyster reef. Photo courtesy of R. Konisky, TNC

Most people don’t realize that oysters are only found in estuaries. At one time, oysters thrived throughout the Great Bay estuary and were highly desired for human consumption. Because oysters filter the water to feed, they also help to remove pollutants and nutrients and play an important role in keeping our estuaries clean.

Unfortunately, it is increasingly difficult to find oysters in the Great Bay estuary due to disease and siltation. In the mid-1990s, the introduction of two parasitic protozoans – Dermo and MSX – caused a large-scale die-off of adult oysters.  Since then habitat changes due to excess siltation from numerous storm events – an impact of Climate Change – has furthered reduced populations. Forty years ago, there were approximately one thousand acres of oysters in the estuary; today, that number is closer to 70 acres.

To help reverse this decline, The Nature Conservancy and the University of New Hampshire have been working to restore populations by building new oyster reefs in the tidal rivers. Reefs are constructed by spreading tons of recycled shells as oyster spawn need a hard surface to settle on. Once in place, seed oysters are added with the hope they will survive and mature to adults.

After working in the Oyster and Lamprey rivers, the Squamscott River is now being targeted. This effort will build upon an existing reef that extends from the railroad trestle towards Great Bay. Working off a barge, crews recently spread 75 ton of recycled shell in hopes of establishing a two acre reef. Some of the recycled shell is from local restaurants collected by the Coastal Conservation Association-NH Chapter, another partner in the project.

Ray Grizzle at the UNH Jackson Estuarine Lab has been testing different brood stocks and general oyster restoration methods to determine how best to move forward. “During 2012, we hope to be able to conduct in collaboration with EPA scientists a comprehensive assessment of all the major restoration sites we have worked on since 2000. The aim of this effort will be to better determine what has worked and what hasn’t so we can improve the design – and the success – of future projects.”

Support for this year’s restoration project comes from several sources, including federal grants and State of NH Moose Plate funds. CLF and TNC have also been working together to make oyster restoration part of a recent settlement between EPA and Grimmel Industries.

For years, the massive scrap metal facility owned by Grimmel has discharged heavily contaminated stormwater into the Piscataqua River. As a direct result of CLF’s advocacy, the facility has been required to implement significant upgrades to address toxic stormwater pollution runoff into the Piscataqua River. During EPA’s enforcement process, CLF urged EPA and Grimmel to develop a Supplemental Environmental Project to restore oyster and eelgrass habitat in the estuary and worked with Ray Konisky of TNC to develop a restoration proposal. EPA embraced the approach, leading to a commitment by Grimmel to fund an oyster and eelgrass restoration project next year.

While any new oyster reef is a welcome addition, the health of the estuary continues to decline from nitrogen pollution. By filtering the water, oysters are an effective nitrogen-reducing agent. However, they are only a small part of the solution and much more needs to be done such as upgrading local wastewater treatment plants and reducing the amount of stormwater entering the estuary.

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For more, visit: http://www.clf.org/great-bay-waterkeeper/. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

The Great Bay estuary – often referred to as New Hampshire’s hidden coast – offers many opportunities for recreational and nature enthusiasts.  The subtle beauty of Great Bay is captivating, especially in early morning when the estuary is filled with the sounds of wildlife. So whether you enjoy kayaking, hiking, fishing, birding or nature photography, summer is the perfect time to explore the wonders of Great Bay.

Because of its shallow waters and strong tides, boating around the estuary gets tricky.  A safer way to explore its waters is by kayak and offers the best option for enjoying the bay’s diverse habitats. There are several easy water access points for car top boats which can be found here.

My favorite launch spot is Chapman’s Landing in Stratham on the Squamscott River (site 3 on map). From Chapman’s you can easily explore the vast salt marshes and tidal creeks found along the river or paddle all the way up to Exeter. Nesting osprey can be found down river from the boat ramp.

If you want to explore the Maine side of the estuary, I suggest putting in at the Salmon Falls River boat launch (site 15 on map). Serving as the border between NH and ME, paddling the Salmon Falls is like going back in time and you can easily imagine what attracted the early settlers to this area.

Only experienced kayakers should venture out into the middle of Great Bay and no matter where you go, always check the local tides. Or if you prefer to have a guided tour of the Portsmouth Harbor area, check out Portsmouth Kayak Adventures (they also offer rentals).

Anglers enjoy coming to the estuary to test their skill. You can visit the NH Fish and Game web site to learn more about the saltwater fishing regulations and to get your saltwater recreational fishing license (now required). Fishing for striped bass – or stripers – is especially popular.

If you prefer to hike the shorelines around the estuary, numerous land access points allow easy access to the vast conservation lands found throughout the estuary.  With over six miles of undeveloped shoreline, the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers numerous trails and wildlife viewing areas.

If you strive for solitude, the Cy and Bobbie Sweet Trail crosses over some of the beautiful conserved land in the Seacoast.  Over four miles long running from Longmarsh Road in Durham to Great Bay in Newmarket, the Sweet Trail leads hikers through a remarkable array of upland forests, freshwater wetlands and tidal salt marsh. This area – once slated for an oil refinery in the 1970’s –  includes several wildlife viewing stations along the trail and three designated parking areas to choose from.

Other popular hiking and birding areas include Adams Point in Durham and Sandy Point in Greenland.  Both of these sites are owned by NH Fish and Game and maintained by the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. On the Maine side of the estuary, I would suggest visiting Vaughan Woods State Park in South Berwick.

A listing of access points including maps to all of the conserved lands around Great Bay can be found at the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership website.  The Partnership is led by The Nature Conservancy and is actively protecting conservation lands throughout the estuary.

The Great Bay Research Reserve also operates the Great Bay Discovery Center in Greenland, a great place for families to learn about the estuary. If modern technology is more your thing, ask for a copy of their Passport to Great Bay.  It provides information and directions to numerous conserved properties around Great Bay as well as coordinates to their popular geocache program.

Once you visit Great Bay, you cannot help but be inspired by its natural beauty.  Unfortunately, the health of Great Bay is in decline.  Please join me and others in protecting this national treasure.  Click here and support our efforts to clean up and save from harm the estuary for future generations.

– For more, visit: http://www.clf.org/great-bay-waterkeeper/. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter.