Shellfish Gardeners
	of North Carolina

Purpose/Aims

·          Oysters Clean Water a mature oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day.

·          Oysters Provide Habitat  The young of many species seek shelter and protection in oyster beds. 

·          Oyster Spat is Distributed  in the water so that oyster beds may flourish and commercial oyster gathers will have more product to sell.

·          BEST OF ALL   gardeners will notice the oyster which grows large and fast or lives longer. That oyster will go back to the gene pool! We will work to improve Crassostrea Virginica, the native oyster. 

Crassostrea Virginica is in extreme decline in North Carolina. In the northern and central parts of the state only one to two percent of the historic population still exists and there is not enough larvae and substrate in the water to promote natural regeneration. 

The Shellfish Gardeners of NC organized to promote the culture of shellfish, and particularly oysters, by individuals using under-dock oyster gardens. Citizen oyster gardens have proved very successful elsewhere. 

Legislation was passed in 2004 enabling N.C residents to participate in under-dock oyster gardening in open waters. (Waters clean enough to allow harvest and human consumption.) 

Gardeners who live in areas where waters are closed (not clean waters) grow oysters on bottom and encourage reef restoration to make the waters clean again.

 SGNC’s Mission:

·          To help restore the health of north Caroling waterways and coastal waters for everyone by promoting the practice of shellfish gardening by private citizens and groups.

·          To create conditions conducive to participation, partnerships and relevant research in shellfish gardening and health shellfish.

SGNC’s Vision:

·          Restored, sustainable and disease-resistant shellfish populations

·          Improved water quality

·          Restored biodiversity

·          An environmentally aware and active public

·          Community and individual participation in shellfish gardening

·          Under-dock oyster gardening in open and closed areas

Workshops are presented along the coast. Most are geared to novice oyster gardeners. This Web page serves as a source of up to date information. A Master Oyster Gardener program is anticipated in the near future.

 We are partners with the Carteret Community College Aquiculture Program.

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This page was last updated on March 16, 2006