Re-nourishment plan to help oyster population

Due to storm water runoff and disease, the oyster population is on the decline, but re-nourishment efforts are underway on that count too.

The non-profit group North Carolina Coastal Federation is teaming up with state agencies to protect and restore the coastal habitat and oysters.

The NCCF has received almost $2 million in grants for two projects at Stump Sound in Onslow County.

The projects will be to restore the eroding shoreline and to build a pier which will help restore the oysters and in-turn, benefit us.

Coastal outreach specialist Ted Wilgis said, “It’s important for us because it provides us clean water for swimming and fishing. It also provides a resource for the fish to depend on oysters and also for oysters themselves, for the valuable fishery they provide.”

The two projects will be finished by October.

The coastal federation is looking for volunteers to help with the projects. Call 910-790-3275 for more information.