Abstract:

In May 2022, a 1.6 ha complex of subtidal and intertidal oyster reef were constructed in St. Charles Bay, expanding upon 5.5 ha of restored subtidal reef constructed from 2017 and 2020. Epifauna (>1 mm) and oysters were collected using sampling trays that were deployed at three intertidal restored reef sites, three subtidal restored reef sites, three intertidal natural (unrestored) reef sites, and three subtidal natural reef sites on 11 May 2022, and retrieved without replacement. Epifauna and oysters from the trays were collected monthly from 10 June 2022 to 10 August 2022, quarterly to 16 May 2023, and then biannually until 07 May 2024. Epifauna (> 1 mm) species were identified to the lowest practical identifiable level (LPIL; usually species) and counted. Oysters were also enumerated and measured for shell height at three adjacent restored reef mounds, and in the area to-be-restored quarterly prior to restoration from October 2020 to January 2022. Shell height was measured for oysters larger than 25 mm. Oysters >25 mm shell height were assessed to determine prevalence and intensity of Perkinsus marinus, the protozoan parasite responsible for Dermo disease. Discrete measurements of water quality (e.g., temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, turbidity) were made at the surface and the bottom of the water column at multiple sampling sites on each sampling date using a YSI data sonde.