A Connecticut Nonprofit's Effort to Restore the Long Island Sound Through Oyster Recycling

Generations of fishermen have harvested oysters from the Long Island Sound off the coast of Connecticut. However, Todd Koehnke and Tim Macklin have dedicated themselves to returning millions of old oyster shells to the water.

Oyster beds are essential for a thriving ocean environment. They act as natural water filters, help prevent erosion, and provide habitat for approximately 300 different species. In a cyclical process, old shells offer the perfect surface for young oysters to attach and grow, often with multiple oysters developing on a single shell.

Koehnke and Macklin's small nonprofit, Collective Oyster Recycling and Restoration, is focused on revitalizing Connecticut's depleted oyster beds. Over the past two years, they have reintroduced over 700,000 pounds of oyster shells, according to Macklin.

Koehnke noted that while oysters have been harvested from the Sound for over a century, there has been a lack of efforts to replenish the shells. Their work, supported by state grants, joins a network of existing restoration programs along the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf. The process begins with collecting shells from over 50 Connecticut seafood restaurants, which provide the shells in buckets.

The shells then undergo a year-long curing process. This allows sufficient time to eliminate any invasive species, preventing contamination of the Sound. Macklin explained that their role is essentially to relocate the shells, allowing nature to handle the rest.

One of the restaurants involved is the Oyster Club in Mystic, Connecticut. Chef Renee Toupounce reports serving between 4,000 and 6,000 oysters weekly, contributing to the billions of oysters consumed annually by Americans. Toupounce emphasizes the importance of contributing to a healthier world and a stronger ecosystem.