Volunteer charity organization, Ozfish, has helped usher in 16 million shellfish through oyster reef restorations in Moreton Bay.

Ozfish volunteers have achieved this through deploying over 6400 robust oyster baskets (ROBs) in the past two years.

Senior Special Projects Officer at Ozfish, Robbie Porter says that up to 2500 animals are supported by each ROB, including oysters, crabs, and worms.

“They make important homes for all those animals, increasing biodiversity and fish numbers.”

Following European settlement, 95% of shellfish reefs in Moreton Bay were harvested for cement production.

Mr Porter explained that 145 liters of water is being filtered each hour from the ROBS.

“Artificial reefs not only increase biodiversity, but water quality as well. Oysters love to filter water, they can filter up to 180 liters a day per oyster.”

During the launch of the restoration, Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Hon Mark Furner praised the project via his Facebook page.

“Not only does it add to water restoration and the environment, it also adds to the sustainability of our fisheries sector as well.”

Surveys have shown that 400,000 Queensland residents participate in recreational fishing in Moreton Bay, this is almost half of the recreational fishing that occurs in the State.

Local fisherman Bryce Kuzewicz says yields have been stable throughout his 40 years of fishing, considering the large amount of people that fish in Moreton Bay.

“There has been more bait fish around recently. Where you have habitat, you have bait, and where there’s bait you have bigger predator fish,” he said.

“Anything that artificially helps the habitat is great, as dredging has greatly impacted the area.”

Mr Porter said that sea level rise will be a challenge for coastal ecosystems in the future, with urban environments in place.

Despite the achievement of the ROBs, and the many animals supported by the reef restoration, Mr Porter wants to continue increasing numbers.

“We need lots of help, you don’t have to be a fisher. We run two working bees every month on a Wednesday and a Saturday.”