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Restoring the health of Shinnecock Bay with a science-based approach

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Our Vision

Our vision, put simply, was to “Turn Brown Tide Blue.” After decades of poor water quality plaguing western Shinnecock Bay, it was time for a new solution. When we started the ShiRP program in 2012, our goal was to use the power of science and our top tier expertise within Stony Brook University to restore the water quality, shellfish, habitat, and fisheries within Shinnecock Bay through a multi-faceted and evidence-based approach. The heart of the strategy was to repopulate shellfish in the bay and replace lost filtration capacity, with supplemental action to build oyster reefs and seed new acres of eelgrass habitat. If successful, the result would be clearer water, healthy marine life, and benefits for bay users and the surrounding community.

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Our Impact

ShiRP has created a model approach for estuary restoration and a platform for training the next generation of marine scientists at Stony Brook University.

Over a decade of progress...

5
Million

clams planted

4

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of new eelgrass 
habitat

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6 Years

117
Acres

with no brown tide

oyster reefs built

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In the News...

Keep up to date on Shinnecock Bay and our activities.

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