Experts say restoring oyster reefs could provide a natural buffer against coastal erosion and storm damage as sea levels rise.
Catherine Zhu reports for CBC.
In short:
- After Hurricane Sandy, New York launched a project to rebuild oyster reefs as wave barriers, with Canada exploring similar methods.
- Oyster reefs can naturally grow over time, unlike static infrastructure, making them ideal for long-term coastal protection.
- Regulatory challenges in Canada, including concerns over shellfish diseases, have delayed restoration efforts despite the proven benefits of oyster reefs.
Key quote:
"It was the first time I'd come across the messaging needing to change from, 'we need to get our emissions to reduce,' to 'we need to start trying to protect lives."
— Tim Green, fisheries and aquaculture professor at Vancouver Island University
Why this matters:
Oyster reefs offer a sustainable way to shield coastlines from storm surges and erosion. As climate change accelerates, finding nature-based solutions like these could save lives and preserve vulnerable ecosystems.
