Cause for shell-ebration: UN-recognised shellfish reefs thriving in Gippsland Lakes

Shellfish reefs restored in the Gippsland Lakes are thriving just three years after reestablishment, with underwater surveys revealing carpets of mature mussels, large native oysters and abundant marine life.

The reefs near Nyerimilang were restored in 2022 by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Australia, with support from the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, as part of TNC’s national ‘Reef Builder’ project.

The positive results follow Reef Builder earning international recognition as a UN World Restoration Flagship, the first Australian project to receive this honour.

The designation recognises “the planet’s most ambitious, science-based and inspiring examples of large-scale ecosystem restoration” and highlights TNC and partners’ work to restore Australia’s threatened shellfish reefs at 21 locations around the country. The project was made possible with support from the Australian Government.

In the Gippsland Lakes, 17 reef patches have been restored across 2.5 hectares, an area larger than the MCG’s playing field.

TNC returned to the water to see how the Gippsland reefs, built with locally sourced limestone rock, were performing three years on.

Surveys revealed a thriving underwater ecosystem, with mature mussels carpeting the seafloor, large Australian flat oysters growing alongside, and a diverse mix of marine life including fish, sea stars, crabs and nudibranchs.

“Seeing these reefs become functioning shellfish reefs after less than four years is
incredible,” said TNC Conservation Officer, Scott Breschkin.

“These reefs are now providing important habitat for marine life while helping to filter millions of litres of water every single day.”

Shellfish reefs once played a vital role in keeping the Gippsland Lakes healthy. Shellfish including blue mussels and Australian flat oysters were once abundant, cleaning water and supporting fish populations before being lost to overharvesting, pollution and
waterway changes. Today, more than 95 per cent of Victoria's shellfish reefs have
disappeared, making the recovery underway in the Gippsland Lakes particularly
significant.

The success reflects strong local involvement throughout the project, with more than 150 local residents and school children participating in community engagement and citizen science activities, with support from Friends of Nyerimilang, Nungurner Primary School and the Gippsland Lakes Fishing Club.

The UN recognition marks the second major award for the project, which last year received a Distinction in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation at the Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards for its work in the Gippsland Lakes and Port Phillip Bay.

While the results are encouraging, TNC says continued investment and partnerships will be essential to restore shellfish reefs at scale across Australia. For the Gippsland Lakes, however, the message is clear: with the right science, partners and level of commitment, lost ecosystems can be brought back to life.