An oyster shell washing plant is to start operation at the Port of Brisbane to boost Moreton Bay's shellfish reef restoration efforts.
The washer, which uses a trommel, will prepare shells from Brisbane restaurants, pubs and professional shuckers to be reused to restore shellfish reefs of Moreton Bay.
The facility is the work of the local Moreton Bay chapter of OzFish Unlimited - a recreational fishing group which works to repair waterways to improve fishing.
Associate Professor Daryl McPhee from Bond University in his book Environmental History and Ecology of Moreton Bay, says one of the most significant events in the environmental history of Moreton Bay, was the loss of extensive oyster reefs in the 1890s.
"We now know that oyster reefs are one of the most threatened coastal habitats in the world, and our local sub-tidal oyster reefs are functionally extinct," he said.
In the late 1800s, oyster bars were popular and the delicacy was also sold to southern states by the bag.
The Brisbane Courier reported in 1884 about dredge licences being issued over a large part of Moreton Bay, including Russell, Macleay, Lamb, Moreton, Bribie and North and South Stradbroke islands, and Victoria Point and Amity.
At Russell Island seven boats dredged for nine months straight, stripping oyster beds.
OzFish project officer Robbie Porter said the washer would speed up work that previously had been done by hand and was vital in regenerating the lost shellfish reefs.
"Shellfish reefs are Moreton Bays unsung hero," he said this week. "Oysters and mussels clean the water, increase fish stocks, and improve marine biodiversity in our bay.
"Sadly, we have lost 95 per cent of these precious reefs in Moreton Bay and they need our help to return.
"Recycled oyster shell makes the perfect building blocks for reef restoration. They create new homes for baby oysters and provide habitat and food for many other marine species."
OzFish volunteers have been cleaning oyster shells for more than two years and have diverted 100 cubic metres of shell that would have otherwise gone to landfill. Some of the recycled shells have already been given a new home in a trial restoration site at Pumicestone Passage.
"The oyster shells must be sterilised and washed before we can use them in restoration work as they have come from all over Australia and may contain unwanted pests," Mr Porter said.
Bonner MP Ross Vasta helped secure a grant through the Australian Government Communities Environments Program for the project.
"With so many shells to wash, this machine will make it faster and easier. It will also do a much better job of washing them than we have been able to do by hand," Mr Porter said.
Mr Vasta urged people to get involved in the project.
"It's great to help such an important and motivated community group that are restoring fish habitat in our beautiful Moreton Bay with this $20,000 Communities Environment grant."
