New Jersey Restores Mullica River Oyster Reefs
The state has successfully planted 26,087 bushels of recycled shells to rebuild crucial marine habitats.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Environmental
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By 2026, New Jersey restored 8 acres of oyster reefs in the Mullica River estuary using over 26,000 bushels of recycled shells. This initiative leverages a network of 20 local restaurants to recover materials for environmental revitalization.
Why it matters
Oyster reefs serve as essential natural infrastructure that filters water and stabilizes shorelines to reduce storm impacts. Restoring these habitats addresses the critical global loss of oyster populations, which have declined by 85%.
The restoration project utilizes shell material collected from 20 restaurants in Atlantic, Cape May, and Ocean Counties. These shells are cleaned, sun-dried, and barged to the estuary where they are deployed using high-pressure water jets.
The players
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
This state agency manages the cleaning and sun-drying processes for shells collected from participating restaurants.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
This organization partnered with the state at the beginning of the program in 2019 to launch the recycling initiative.
Sysco
This company provides the necessary collection services to transport shells from restaurants to the state for processing.
The details
The program is supported by over $1.2 million in federal funding and features a supply chain partnership with Sysco. These reefs provide vital ecosystem services by creating structures that protect the coast from erosion and flooding.
Timeline
The shell recycling program first began in 2019.
By 2026, the project successfully planted 26,087 bushels of recycled shells.
The Big Picture
This restoration project directly addresses the 85% global decline of oyster reefs by manually rebuilding degraded systems. By reintroducing thousands of bushels of shell material, the program shifts the regional trajectory toward habitat recovery and increased biodiversity.
The expansion of these reefs provides long-term storm protection for coastal communities, potentially reducing erosion and property damage. As water quality improves through natural filtration, the area may see localized benefits to marine health and stability.
The takeaway
Restoring oyster reefs provides an effective, nature-based solution to combat shoreline instability and water pollution. Residents can support these efforts by dining at participating establishments that contribute to the shell recycling supply chain.
What happens next
The program has announced plans to add 10 more acres of reef to the Mullica River restoration effort.
Further reading
Read more about conservation efforts in the New Jersey Environmental section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Times.
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Do you support using public funds and local partnerships to restore coastal oyster reefs in your area?
