June 4, 2026
10:30AM - 11:30AM

Environmental Track: Stewardship & Sustainability - Track Sponsored by Mitsubishi Chemical

Oyster Shell Recycling and Reef Restoration

Speaker: Shannon Batte

Galveston Bay, the heart of the Texas oyster industry, has experienced a significant decline in oyster habitat. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) estimates over 60 percent of Galveston Bay reefs have been damaged as a result of extreme weather events such as Hurricanes Ike and Harvey coupled with decades of heavy exploitation. In an effort to reverse local oyster population declines, the Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) partners with local seafood restaurants to collect shucked oyster shells for reuse in reef restoration throughout the Galveston Bay estuary. GBF has managed the Oyster Shell Recycling Program (OSRP) since 2011, collecting over 2,200 tons (4.4 million pounds) of oyster shells. Nearly 880 tons have been incorporated in oyster reef restoration projects.

Upon their return to the bay, the recycled oyster shells serve as new oyster habitat, thus enhancing the local oyster population. The OSRP has experienced tremendous growth over the past four years with the addition of new partners and equipment. Since 2020 the OSRP has grown from 10 to 39 shell recycling partners. Additionally, GBF has reinitiated the Galveston Bay Oyster Workgroup via the Galveston Bay Estuary Program in partnership with TPWD and spurred novel research with academic partners to identify best practices in sun curing and reef restoration. GBF has also continued and expanded the Volunteer Oyster Gardening Program to seed restoration sites and increase community engagement, and began a new citizen science effort, the Volunteer Reef Monitoring Program, to further engage the community and collect valuable data. 

This presentation will cover the history of the OSRP, accomplishments and lessons learned as well as GBF’s future plans for restoration efforts.

The Sustainability and Stewardship Track is sponsored by Mitsubishi Chemical