Aquaculture 2025

March 6 - 10, 2025

New Orleans, Louisiana USA

Add To Calendar 08/03/2025 16:45:0008/03/2025 17:05:00America/ChicagoAquaculture 2025RESTORATIVE AQUACULTURE IN SOUTH FLORIDA: USING OYSTERS IN INNOVATIVE NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO RESTORE BISCAYNE BAY AND IMPROVE COASTAL RESILIENCESalon EThe World Aquaculture Societyjohnc@was.orgfalseDD/MM/YYYYanrl65yqlzh3g1q0dme13067

RESTORATIVE AQUACULTURE IN SOUTH FLORIDA: USING OYSTERS IN INNOVATIVE NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO RESTORE BISCAYNE BAY AND IMPROVE COASTAL RESILIENCE

John D. Stieglitz*, Isaac Tetel, Eva Dickie, Lily Zimmerman,

Ronald H. Hoenig, and Marjorie F. Oleksiak

 

* University of Miami

  Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, & Earth Science

  4600 Rickenbacker Causeway; Miami, FL  33149  USA

  E-mail: jstieglitz@miami.edu 

 



There is an increased need for development and implementation of nature-based solutions for improving coastal resilience in regions on the front lines of climate change impacts.  South Florida has been identified as one of the most at-risk communities in the nation in the face of climate change, and Biscayne Bay is widely considered ground zero in its exposure to many of the most common coastal resilience challenges.  While historical populations of native oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in Biscayne Bay have been decimated over the past decades, remnant populations remain in various portions of the Bay.  Current restorative aquaculture activities centered at the University of Miami – Rosenstiel School aim to connect community partners, scientists, habitat restoration specialists, and conservation practitioners to build capacity in utilization of oyster restoration in Biscayne Bay for living shoreline initiatives.  Additionally, research is underway in exploring the utilization of native Biscayne Bay oysters in land-based integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems to develop strategies for advancing marine aquaculture in the region through effective product diversification that may allow for improved environmental sustainability and economic viability.  Leveraging expertise in restorative marine aquaculture, ecological genomics, outreach, and education, this project has the potential to play a critical role in coastal resilience initiatives throughout the region while providing valuable ecosystem services associated with native oyster restoration.  Research activities on oyster aquaculture at the University of Miami – Rosenstiel School will be presented and discussed along with future directions of the project.