Building cleaner water, one reef at a time
East Hampton, NY — The waters of Three Mile Harbor are getting a new lease on life. This June, the East Hampton Town Shellfish Hatchery, in partnership with South Fork Sea Farmers, will install its fourth community-built oyster reef—just off Swans Marina. This new reef builds on the success of three previously established and now thriving oyster reefs in Accabonac harbor, strengthening the growing network of living shoreline infrastructure across the East End.
At the heart of this effort is a year-round commitment from the dedicated staff at the East Hampton Town Shellfish Hatchery. Throughout the winter, team members worked tirelessly to cultivate the young oysters—or spat—that will be seeded onto the cured shell. These tiny shellfish will soon begin filtering the water and forming the living foundation of the reef, thanks to months of careful nurturing behind the scenes.
But this reef is more than just a structure—it’s a testament to the power of community collaboration. Constructed with the help of East Hampton High School students, this living reef is being formed from reclaimed oyster shells donated by local restaurants, including Il Buco, Bostwick’s, Rowdy Hall, Almond, Lunch, Shark Bar and shells from the Billion Oyster Project.
“This project is what community science is all about—students learning hands-on, creating habitat, and seeing firsthand how shellfish improve water quality,” said Barley Dunne, Director of the East Hampton Town Shellfish Hatchery. “It's an investment in the bay, and in our next generation of stewards. Our team is very excited.”
Oyster reefs serve a critical ecological function. Each oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, helping remove excess nutrients and improve water clarity. These reefs also provide shelter and food for marine life—creating a self-sustaining system that strengthens the harbor’s resilience.
“Each reef we build is a living system,” said Robert Tymann, Education Chair and reef-building lead at South Fork Sea Farmers. “These students are building something that will last, filter thousands of gallons of water, and help restore the harbor.”
A project of this scale wouldn’t be possible without grassroots support. Mickey’s Carting generously donated trucking services to transport hundreds of pounds of cured oyster shells to the reef site. And dozens of local volunteers have played a key role in collecting and preparing the shells for deployment.
“When local businesses step up like this, it shows just how much people care about the future of our waters,” said Jeff Ragovin, President of South Fork Sea Farmers. “This isn’t just our reef—it belongs to the whole community.”
This reef is more than a restoration effort—it’s part of a growing movement to reconnect with and restore our marine ecosystems. With each reef, we’re not only cleaning our waters—we’re building a legacy.
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