As head of the South Fork Sea Farmers’ education committee, I’m proud to share an exciting step forward in our environmental stewardship efforts. On behalf of our nonprofit—South Fork Sea Farmers, the educational extension of East Hampton Town’s shellfish hatchery and community oyster garden program—I recently presented a new eelgrass restoration initiative to the East Hampton Town Trustees. I’m grateful they unanimously approved the project.
The effort is designed to establish healthy eelgrass meadows in Accabonac Harbor, building on our work creating oyster reefs with students and community members. We believe that restoring this vital habitat will support marine biodiversity, stabilize sediment, and strengthen the ecological impact of our oyster reef installations.
Joining me in presenting this initiative was Henry Cooper, a dedicated East Hampton High School student and one of our standout participants. Henry introduced our detailed plan to transplant 20 to 25 shovelfuls of eelgrass from Napeague Harbor to sites adjacent to the oyster reefs in Accabonac Harbor. The eelgrass will be planted using innovative biodegradable BESE-elements—three-dimensional lattice sheets designed to stabilize marine plants—secured with bamboo stakes. Two rows of these BESE sheets will be deployed on the shoreside of two existing reefs.
Each BESE sheet will hold eelgrass transplants with one or two runners, which the lattice structure helps anchor and protect. This design mimics the natural density of eelgrass beds, reducing movement and increasing transplant survival. As Henry put it during the presentation, “They need time to grow a meadow, which is the purpose of this.”
Our team will monitor sediment stability, eelgrass survival, shoot emergence, and sheet degradation over the next two to three years. We’ll also track water quality indicators like salinity, turbidity, pH, and dissolved oxygen. To assess outcomes, fixed photo stations and drone flyovers will be used for visual comparisons over time.
We’ve set measurable goals for success: at least 60-percent transplant survival and a 20-percent increase in shoot density. We’ll also evaluate whether the new meadow helps retain sediment and mitigate erosion.
Biannual reports will include data analysis, site imagery, and management recommendations. As always, we’ll be adaptive in our approach—refining techniques based on real-world results.
We appreciate the support and oversight of the Town Trustees, particularly John Aldred, who requested an annual summary report. We’re looking forward to launching this project in the coming weeks and will continue working closely with students, residents, and our local leaders to restore and protect East Hampton’s coastal environment.
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