Our oyster habitat restoration efforts
Restoring our coastal ecosystems
We are working to advance oyster reef restoration in Ipswich, Yarmouth, and Nantucket, with each community demonstrating a different approach to strengthening coastal ecosystems through nature-based solutions.
Ipswich
We started our restoration efforts in Ipswich in 2025. In partnership with the town, we identified a site just off Plum Island where there was historical evidence of oyster growth and was well suited for the potential to regrow new reefs. Since its inception, we’ve planted nearly 300,000 oysters from our upweller programs with the goal of establishing a new reef.
Yarmouth
Our Bass River project in Yarmouth began in 2024 as part of a community engagement program in partnership with the Yarmouth shellfish constable. In coordination with multiple organizations including ARC Hatchery, Yarmouth Division of Natural Resources, Yarmouth Division of Public Works and the Friends of Bass River, we’ve planted 120,000 oysters since the project’s inception to help restore an existing reef.
Together, these projects serve as pilot sites for scalable restoration models, showing how partnerships with towns can expand science-based oyster restoration across Massachusetts.
As these reefs grow, they will inform future projects and help create a clear roadmap for communities seeking resilient, cost-effective solutions for their coastal waters.
Expanding our impact
We are expanding our restoration work to explore nature-based solutions that use oysters for more than reef building alone. Oysters provide a wide range of benefits, and their impact can be tailored to the needs of individual coastal communities. They naturally filter and improve water quality, help reduce wave energy and coastal erosion, and create habitat that supports fish and other marine life. Healthier oyster populations can mean stronger local ecosystems and more abundant fisheries—benefiting the communities and livelihoods that depend on them. If your town is facing water quality or coastal resilience challenges, reach out to learn how we can partner on new or existing projects please reach out to us at contact@massoyster.org.
