BAY ST LOUIS, Mississippi— An oyster reef approximately 35 acres is being constructed by The Nature Conservancy in Mississippi in the Bay of St. Louis to restore oysters to the Gulf Coast following natural and man-made disasters that have decimated local oyster populations.
The reef is named after longtime Bay St. Louis resident and legendary Hancock County chef and restaurant owner, Tony Trapani who passed away a few years ago.
The Trapani reef is being constructed with over 11,000 limestone “pods” or
mounds spaced four feet apart and stacked one to two feet high. This vertical configuration gives growing oysters added protection against low oxygen and freshwater flooding events, such as the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway.
The increased height and surface area created by the “pod” design adds resiliency to the reef, providing more area for oyster larva to colonize.
The reef will support sub-tidal oyster reefs producing oyster brood stock for the Mississippi Sound. Because the reef is in an area that is closed to harvest the expectation is that oysters will be allowed to grow undisturbed over time. The limestone rock and recycled oyster shells will create a surface area for new oysters attach and grow.
Because the height and complexity of the reef create a complex three-dimensional habitat it also increases recreational fishing opportunities in the bay which is surrounded by five public boat launches.
The Nature Conservancy in Mississippi managed construction of the project with funding provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, the Mississippi Tidelands Fund, and the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund.
Tom Mohrman, TNC’s Director of Marine Programs oversaw the project.
He said “One of our goals is to develop projects that support local economies by strengthening and enhancing coastal habitat. Healthy ecosystems support jobs, public health, a sense of place, as well as build habitat and biodiversity for communities to enjoy. Healthy ecosystems support healthy economies.”
“In coordination with other conservation groups, the Tony Trapani Reef is an excellent use of public trust tidelands funding and how it can be used to enhance the habitat for various species in a prime fishing location in the Bay of St. Louis,” said Executive Director, Joe Spraggins, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. U.S. Representative Mike Ezell recently visited the reef. He said, “The reef is a fantastic example of partnership between local, state, and federal groups with the same goal: protecting our Gulf and its resources.As a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast, I’m excited by the work being done to ensure our coastal resources are protected and improved for future generations, and I’ll continue fighting for our Gulf.”
Scott Lemmons, Interim Director of TNC | Mississippi says, “The reef provides a complex habitat for wildlife including invertebrates and fish, and it will also increase nearshore recreational fishing. This will be a huge opportunity to restore oysters in the gulf and our plan is to request additional funding to increase the reef to more than 40-acres.”
The Tony Trapani Reef is in Bay St. Louis, south of the Wolf River, just outside of Bayou Portage, just a couple of miles offshore of the City of Pass Christian in Harrison County.
