Islip Town restores one million oysters to the Great South Bay

The Town of Islip’s Department of Environmental Control restored approximately one million oysters and two hundred thousand clams to the Great South Bay as part of the town’s ongoing shellfish restoration efforts, an initiative that supports marine habitats, protects the long-term health of the bay, and improves overall water quality.

A single adult oyster is capable of filtering up to 50 gallons of water per day, making oysters a natural filter known to improve water clarity and support the growth of underwater vegetation such as eelgrass. Oyster reefs also provide important habitat and shelter for fish, crabs, and other marine species, contributing to the overall biodiversity of the Great South Bay.

The restoration effort also highlights the work of the Town of Islip’s Shellfish Culture Facility and its role in producing shellfish for restoration, supporting local shellfish populations, and advancing the Town’s ongoing efforts to improve water quality and restore the bay’s ecosystem.

“The Great South Bay is one of our community’s greatest natural resources, and protecting it is a responsibility we take seriously. The work being done through our Shellfish Culture Facility is vital and meaningful as the town continues to create new avenues for environmental protection, restoration, and local business,” said Islip Town supervisor Angie Carpenter.

Through the facility and its ongoing restoration initiatives, the town continues to invest in the ecological health of the Great South Bay and the natural resources that make the Islip community unique.