Mysterious Metal Boxes Found!
February 19, 2025
Source: Reddit
New York City’s waterways are getting a second chance, thanks to the Billion Oyster Project restoration initiative. This ambitious conservation effort is bringing back oyster populations, improving marine biodiversity, and revitalizing the city’s ecosystem—one cage at a time. But how exactly does it work? Let’s dive in.
My Discovery: The Oyster Cages of Manhattan
While browsing online, I came across a fascinating post from a commercial diver working in Manhattan. He described using these exact metal mesh cages in a conservation project called the Billion Oyster Project. At first, these cages looked like ordinary industrial equipment, but they were actually the foundation for something much bigger: the Billion Oyster Project restoration and the return of NYC’s oyster reefs.
Here’s how he described the process:
“I am a commercial diver. I do construction underwater in Manhattan. We recently used these exact cages on a project called The Billion Oyster Project. It’s a conservation effort to restore the NYC oyster population. What they did was fill these box cages with oyster shells. Then we welded them together. Then they put a box of either live oysters or oyster shells seeded with juvenile oysters on the top of this box pyramid. Then we lowered them by crane down to the river bottom and staked them into the mud. We also installed concrete habitats seeded with juvenile oysters. Our location was the Gansevoort Peninsula just south of The Little Island and just west of the Whitney Museum.”
Building an Oyster Reef in Manhattan’s Waters
Oysters were once abundant in New York Harbor, playing a vital role in filtering water and providing habitat for marine life. Over the centuries, pollution, overharvesting, and urban development devastated their populations. Now, projects like the Billion Oyster Project restoration aim to change that by rebuilding oyster reefs.
The Role of Divers in the Restoration Effort
A key part of the project involves constructing artificial oyster reefs using these specially designed cages. Here’s how the process works:
- Filling and Assembling the Cages
- The cages are packed with oyster shells, which act as a base for live oysters or seeded shells containing juvenile oysters (known as spat).
- These cages are welded together to create a stable structure on the riverbed, facilitating the goals of the Billion Oyster Project restoration.
- Deploying the Reef Structures
- Using cranes, the cage formations are carefully lowered into the river.
- The structures are then staked into the mud to prevent movement due to currents or boat traffic.
- Seeding with Juvenile Oysters
- In addition to the shell-filled cages, experts install concrete habitats pre-seeded with young oysters.
- These habitats encourage new oyster growth and provide shelter for other marine species.
Gansevoort Peninsula: A New Home for Oysters
One of the main deployment sites was the Gansevoort Peninsula, located just south of Little Island and west of the Whitney Museum. This area is an ideal location for the Billion Oyster Project restoration due to its connection to the Hudson River and the city’s growing interest in sustainability.
Why Oyster Restoration Matters
Restoring oyster populations isn’t just about bringing back a lost species—it has broader environmental benefits:
- Water Filtration: A single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, improving water clarity and quality.
- Habitat Creation: Oyster reefs provide shelter for fish, crabs, and other marine organisms.
- Shoreline Protection: Oyster reefs act as natural barriers, reducing erosion and providing protection from storm surges.
The Future of NYC’s Oysters
The Billion Oyster Project restoration continues to grow, with schools, scientists, and volunteers all playing a role in monitoring and maintaining these reefs. The work done today lays the foundation for a cleaner, healthier harbor in the future.
For those interested in conservation, this project is a shining example of how human intervention can positively impact the environment. Whether you’re a diver, a student, or just someone who loves NYC, you can explore many ways to participate. Who knows? The next time you walk along the Hudson, you might be looking at the Billion Oyster Project restoration in action, and the future home of a thriving oyster reef.