The Creation of oyster reef sanctuaries in the Great Wicomico and Coan Rivers and in a bayside creek on Virginia's eastern shore, Chesapeake Bay

The first part of the current project is an intertidal reef which was built in the Great Wicomico River on Shell Bar. The Great Wicomico River was selected because of its history of significant spatsets and oyster seed production. The general shape and current flow of the river is very similar to that of the Piankatank River. The river has been classified as a trap-type estuary where circulation is mostly closed and oyster larvae should remain within the river, close to the reef site. This configuration both increases the likelihood of colonization of the constructed reef, as well as maximizing the likelihood that a thriving reef community could result in increased spatset throughout a large area of the river. Grant no. NA66FU0242