Re: [Paddlewise] Oyster Bar Project

From: Marinell <marinell3_at_home.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2002 08:39:19 -0500
> Marinell wrote:


> > Hitch a ride on a boat, then kayak to potential oyster bed


> > islands and wade around on sharp oyster shells.   See


> > http://marinell.server101.com/oyster-reef/


> 


> G'Day Marinell,


> 


> Very interesting web page. Grand to see an environmental use for kayaks. Is



> the primary purpose to reduce pollution - do the oysters get harvested and


> disposed of or can the heavy metals be recycled?





The primary purpose is to improve water quality.  Sarasota Bay used to be full
of oyster beds and clear water.


The dredging of coast lines and over-harvesting in earlier times has destroyed
the beds.





> I have unhappy memories of


> wading around a kayak which had run aground on an oyster lease - do the


> kayaks suffer much damage (one of the pictures showed a kayak on what I


> think was an oyster bed).


> 





Yes, oysters can really scratch up a plastic kayak.  We tried to land where
there was relatively little


shell build up.  I would never take my new Viking to that island.  The last
comment, "We did not take water depth measurements on this island",


meant that John and I did not want to tear up our shoes or boats any more.
There were already plenty of oysters.  The first island we visited had more
potential for reclamation.  





The "mother-boat" spent its time seineing in deeper surrounding waters.  I am
waiting to hear what specimens they found.





Do you see all those Australian pines in the first couple of photos, Peter?
They were introduced in the 1920's (I think) as wind and water breaks.  They
have taken over south Florida and now we are trying to remove them!!!!!  The
mangrove islands in the last photos are more "natural".   Do you have 'Yank'
exotics taking over Australia, yet, Peter?





How much weight would an iron plate add to my boat?





G'morning,


Marinell




















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Received on Sun Jan 13 2002 - 05:38:08 PST

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