Coastal Oyster Recycling and Restoration Initiative

Description

The Coastal Oyster Recycling and Restoration Initiative, CORRI, was established in 2013 to develop an oyster shell recycling program involving the direct collection of shells from local restaurants, enhance and/or restore oyster reefs within multiple tidal creek systems in the greater Myrtle Beach region, and assess the success of restoration efforts particularly as related to fishery species. CORRI initially was supported with funds generously provided by Fish America Foundation through the NOAA Coastal Restoration Center. Within six months of funding CORRI had collected >60 tons of oyster shell and placed an equivalent amount of shell out in six tidal creeks systems from Little River to North Inlet, South Carolina. Currently CORRI is being supported by the Bunnelle Foundation to expand efforts further into Georgetown County.