The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) will create a living shoreline along a western section of Louisiana’s Barataria Basin using recycled oyster shell placed in Gabion baskets for vertical structure and stability.
Strategic placement of this reef between two bays in a marsh with high erosion risk, but also high suitability for oyster reef restoration, is expected to impact the ecosystem by (1) protecting 2,500 linear feet of shoreline from erosion, (2) establishing 2 acres of oyster reef habitat— providing foraging grounds for birds and essential fish habitat for red drum, reef fish, and shrimp, (3) fortifying 12 acres of marsh habitat, (4) recycling 800 tons of shell back into Louisiana’s coastal waters, and (5) engaging 250 community members in creating a more resilient coast.