Volume 4, Issue 5

Lovin’ the Loxahatchee

June 2009
River Segment Series #3—Oyster Reefs

Oyster Reefs support Oysters are amazing filter

co mplex food webs, feeders. One large oyster can
improve water quality and filter up to 50 gallons of water
clarity, and stabilize in one day! Collectively,
shorelines in the thriving oyster reefs can filter
Loxahatchee River and millions of
other estuaries. g a llons of
Many key fisheries water. This
species, such as snappers, filtration
rely on the oyster reefs for results in Nature Conservancy
feeding grounds. Juveniles improved and NOAA on an
of many species including water quality oyster reef restoration
snappers, bait fish, crabs, and clarity project on the
RIVER TIDINGS

and other invertebrates need which is essential for fish and Northwest Fork of the
oyster reefs to provide seagrasses. Additionally, Loxahatchee River. Seven
suitable shelter. Other oysters can also stabilize reefs have been created to date.
LOXAHATCHEE RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER

animals, including wading shorelines and reduce wave Already we are seeing juvenile
birds, raccoons, snails and impacts in estuary habitats. fish move into the area and new
starfish, use the oysters The Loxahatchee River oysters (spat) are beginning to
themselves as a food source. District is working with The settle on the new habitat.

Creature Feature—Mangrove Snapper

Mangrove or Grey At the
Snappers are a common River Center
species of snapper found in we often see
the Loxahatchee River and them change
at the River Center. They colors during
are generally gray color with feeding.
some red coloring on their Juvenile
fins and scales. They will mangrove
often show a black bar snapper can be
angled from the snout back found near
across the eye to the top of oyster reefs and
the head. Sometimes they mangroves,
also show vertical bars where they can
along their body. easily find their prey. Adult commonly found around
mangrove structures such as docks or
snapper are coral reefs.

RIVER CENTER SPONSORS Upcoming Events:

The Howard Family • July 14—Mini Movie Day—$3 per child. Includes
The Krasker Family a popcorn and juice box. General Ages: 1-5.
The Magrogan Family • July 31—Mini Movie Day—$3 per child. Includes
The Williams Family a popcorn and juice box. General Ages: 1-5.
CMH Swim School • August 7—Friends of the Loxahatchee River
Our annual River Center sponsors are Meeting (noon) - Lynn Drake-Lasseter of Loxa-
recognized on our donor wall at the hatchee River Historical Society
entrance. Each tile is 50% off for 2009, • August 22—River Center Birthday Party—It’s
so become a sponsor today! our 1 year anniversary! Help us celebrate!

www.loxahatcheeriver.org
Lookin’ at the Loxahatchee Did You Know?
Get a bird’s eye view ● The Greek goddess,
Aphrodite was said to
have emerged from the
sea on an oyster shell.*

● Before proper refrigeration

was readily available,
people were advised to
only eat oysters during
months ending in “R”.
O
ys May-August were the
te hottest months and
r Re therefore oysters did not
ef keep well.**
s
● You can tell an oyster is
alive because its shell is
tightly closed.
*Funtrivia.com; **Associated Content

efs
ter Re
Oys

Van Pelt Foundation

Granted $125,000 to the
River Center for scholar-
River Fast Facts ships, fellowships,
“green” projects, an edu-
cational pavilion, and
Oyster Reef Species: other projects.
• Eastern Oyster
• Checkered Pufferfish Water Play Day was a
• Yellowfin Mojarra big hit with over 60
• Juvenile Mangrove children participating.
Snapper There water balloons,
• Juvenile Sergeant Majors kiddie pools,
sprinklers, water
• Flagfin Mojarra guns, and games. We
• Pinfish will host one more
• Great Blue Heron event on July 15th.
• Ibis RSVP Early!
• Racoon
• Sheepshead
• Blue crab
“Sleepin’ with the
• Bandtail Pufferfish Fishes”
• Porcelain Crab The River Center’s first
sleep-over event was just
One adult oyster can “too much fun” - if there is
filter up to 50 gallons such as thing! Smores,
Staff participated in the “worms in dirt”, evening
of water in one day! Great Loxahatchee River nature hike, karaoke, and
Now, imagine one million Race and placed 1st for
more!
oysters... team trials! 20:02 around
Burt Reynolds Park!

www.loxahatcheeriver.org