The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries’ Cultch Planting Program has launched a public survey asking for input on prospective sites for future oyster habitat enhancement projects.
The survey focuses on nine potential extensively surveyed sites that do not include already existing shellfish assemblages or subaquatic vegetation.
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The division and its Habitat & Enhancement Section each year disperse cultch material made of small limestone rock, recycled oyster shell or other suitable materials to create man-made oyster reefs with the goal of allowing oysters to grow to market-size for commercial harvest.
The division’s Cultch Planting Program has built an average of 41 acres of cultch reefs per year over the past five years.
The annual survey is used to collect public feedback and input to help improve future planting efforts. Participants of the survey may include those from the hand mechanical wild oyster fishery, other commercial fisheries and recreational stakeholders.
Participants may choose to remain anonymous or share their contact information.
“The input will help staff consider commercial preferences and weigh potential impacts on other stakeholders before finalizing locations of future cultch planting operations,” according to a division release.
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The survey will remain open until Nov. 23.
