Oyster reefs once flourished along the foreshore of the Russell River in North Queensland. Now, a transformational restoration project is taking root to help restore marine health in the region. By Dennis Ah-Kee A Wanjuru traditional owner, Dennis Ah-Kee explains the historical significance of oysters to his people. He’s the director of Jaragun EcoServices. “The stories handed down by our elders and their elders tell us there used to be prolific oyster populations along both the Russell and Mulgrave Rivers,” he stated. This project, situated approximately 50 kilometers south of Cairns, is the first tropical oyster reef restoration project in northern Australia.
Beyond its cultural implications, the Russell River project has received attention for its ecological potential. Researchers, led by Marina Richardson, are currently assessing the importance of these shellfish reefs in the broader context of marine conservation. The project was awarded $28.5 million in federal funding through the Reef Coastal Restoration suite of programs. Its purpose is to increase water quality, protect mangroves, and build resiliency in the local marine ecosystem.
Ecological Importance of Oyster Reefs
The ecological role of oyster reefs has come into sharper focus as researchers continue to explore their myriad benefits. According to Liz Owen, oyster reefs historically served to protect mangrove systems from erosion while improving water quality and providing habitat for diverse marine species. “Oyster reefs used to protect the mangrove system in particular from erosion,” she explained.
That’s not to downplay the urgency of the global decline of oyster reefs. Over 90 percent of these important ecosystems have disappeared globally. In southern Australia, critically endangered reef systems are deeply concerning. The Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation has made a big investment in shellfish restoration projects. They have since invested over $270k towards research and habitat modelling across Moreton Bay and the Great Sandy Marine Park.
In this context of decline, there are some hopeful signs. Richardson’s team recently found a previously unrecorded community of giant oyster reefs in Mapoon, Far North Queensland. This discovery implies that restoration projects actually might be capable of increasing wild, self-sustaining oyster populations. “Really it’s just opening a whole new world for us to begin investigating what their benefits are,” Richardson noted.
The Jaragun EcoServices Initiative
The outstanding pilot project being led by Jaragun EcoServices is a model for restoring oyster populations. ROBs help researchers establish natural conditions on the riverbed. This framework allows for healthy living oysters to flourish amongst otherwise empty shells. Nathan Waltham, a researcher involved in the project, remarked on the significance of this method: “What we’re trying to do is get them back using nature-based solutions.”
As the project develops, the next few months will be bite time for the oysters that have been deployed in ROBs. “The next few months will be crucial as they start to reproduce and colonize the ROBs,” Waltham added. With each oyster filtering 50 gallons of water a day, each oyster is a key player in cleansing our waterways. Just one oyster can filter up to 110 liters of water per day, significantly improving water quality.
The Russell River restoration project is one of many in a broader initiative. This phase includes a $4.9 million investment to Ozfish Unlimited for shellfish reef restoration in the Townsville, Innisfail, Cairns, Mackay and Gladstone areas. On top of that, $20 million is allocated to the new Reef Builder program to restore and maintain oyster habitats across Noosa.
Cultural Significance and Future Prospects
For Ah-Kee and his community, the project’s cultural relevance is inarguable. His forebears were so reliant on oysters for sustenance that it’s not enough, as farming and development efforts soon after destroyed water quality and decimated the oyster population. “Once agriculture and development started, water quality went down, and the oyster population decreased,” he explained.
“It’s really important now more than ever, as we’re looking into the future, to just make sure that we protect what’s there and that we bring back what was lost,” she said.
As the Russell River project progresses, it embodies a blend of traditional knowledge and scientific inquiry aimed at restoring a vital ecosystem. There is a cohesive collaboration among researchers, traditional owners and environmental groups, combined with immense public support. We’re optimistic that their joint-jurisdictional work will lead to thriving marine environments in North Queensland.
