NY/NJ Baykeeper teams working on oyster replenishment in the Navesink River a decade or so ago.
By Judy O’Gorman Alvarez
Residents, visitors, water lovers and landlubbers alike are encouraged to help return oysters to the Navesink River to benefit the river environment.
A survey to Bring Oysters Back to the Navesink, launched by Navesink Maritime Historical Association (NMHA), is underway and will be running through Dec. 31 at navesinkmari- time.org.
NMHA, the NY/NJ Baykeeper, Clean Ocean Action, the Littoral Society and many other groups and private citizens want to bring oysters back to New Jersey waters.
Not that long ago the NY/NJ Baykeeper had a viable oyster reef in the Navesink but in 2008 they were required to remove it. Regulations determined the river is not cleared for oyster cultivation. “The concern was that restored oysters could be poached and sold as safe oysters and then harm the public and the reputation of the New Jersey Shellfish Industry,” according to the petition.
“History and science have moved on since then” and bringing oysters back would benefit the river environment, the petition continued. “Oysters and oyster reefs are a crucial component of global ocean health and serve as barriers to storms and tides, preventing erosion and protecting productive estuary waters, of which the Navesink is a prime example.”
“It’s been a long challenge with the DEP (state Department of Environment Protection) since they stopped our programming in the Navesink and Keyport harbor,” said Meredith Comi, restoration program director, NJ/NY Baykeeper.
When the oyster ban was put in place, in addition to shutting down the ecosystem resources, it also ended education and citizen involvement. “It was a real blow not just for science but for community engagement,” Comi said.
“Baykeeper believes there is a way to safely do these projects and have the benefits while being mindful of the water quality issues,” she said. “We’ve designed our projects to that end.”
Although the organizations involved hope the petition will help bring oysters back with the support of the DEP, “it’s time to take another look at the situation,” said Comi.
“The DEP hears from us all the time, but to have the citizens’ voice and for the people to push for this will be powerful,” she said. Environmental groups, students, boaters and homeowners along the Navesink are all interested.
In the meantime, Baykeepers and others are continuing their research into safely harvesting oysters in the Navesink, waiting for the day they can start.
“Everyone benefits from a healthy river,” said Rik van Hemmen, president and trustee of Navesink Maritime Heritage Association.
“We have a very good idea of what success is – it’s co-existence with nature. We have to figure out how to do that.”
He pointed out that in other areas, such as Rhode Island, with massive oyster reefs, “there are no oyster hunters trying to sell them,” he said.
He noted that many different birds have made a comeback and oysters can too.
“The fact that we can see eagles and osprey here is all very interesting. It’s very important. We just underestimate the charm of the resources.”
Van Hemmen tells of Navesink Maritime bird-watching cruises where he said they spotted three eagles on a sandbar. “People used to travel to Alaska to see that,” he said. “Now you can see them right here.”
Two River residents should be able to enjoy a river rich with life, including oysters. “A healthy river allows people to recreate on the river without concerns,” he said.
For more information and to sign the petition, visit navesinkmaritime.org.
This article originally appeared in the Oct. 22, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
