60 DECEMBER 2017 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG picture of the estuary’s health and the trend information needed to understand and manage the ecosystem (UDEL 2011). Oyster Gardener Survey A study was conducted to evaluate the social and economic benefits of oyster gardening in relation to watershed improvements. Oyster gardeners were contacted by email and asked to participate in an online survey (Table 1). Lead oyster gardeners were identified as individuals who other gardeners turn to for help and advice. Interviews with these lead gardeners and members of partner institutions were recorded on video. A professional educational video was created, including footage from these interviews, with informative details of oyster gardening and factors of sampling methods presently employed. The number of years involved with the oyster gardening program by volunteers was 4.1 ± 1.9 y. Most gardeners invested 1.5 h/wk for each Taylor float, so the activity is low maintenance, and most volunteers plan to continue. A large majority (70 percent) indicated that they had noticed more aquatic life in the water around their dock since they started gardening. The average number of new species reported was 4.1 ± 2.9. The various forms of life attracted to oyster floats can enhance local recreational fishing. Sport fishing currently generates $110 million in economic output in the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays (CIB) (www.inlandbays.org), the Delaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program (www.deseagrant. org/outreach) and citizen volunteers living along waterfronts of the coastal Inland Bays. Delaware State University joined the effort in 2006. The main program focus is to investigate socioeconomic value and community interest in oyster restoration efforts, especially in relation to watershed improvement, using surveys and interviews. The program objectives for the community are three-fold: 1) awareness of shellfish and water quality, 2) awareness of the potential shellfish aquaculture plan, and 3) environmental stewardship. Around 200 local community volunteers have placed floating baskets of oysters at the ends of their docks. Data gathered by volunteer oyster gardeners have provided important baseline information for selection of ideal locations for oyster gardening and for student projects. Local community members also monitor water quality through participation in the Citizen Monitoring Program (citizenmonitoring.udel.edu). Since 1991, Citizen Monitoring Program volunteers, along with the volunteer oyster gardeners, have been collecting daily water quality information throughout Delaware’s coastal watershed. Data gathered by Citizen Monitoring volunteers have provided scientists and resource managers with a clearer FIGURE 4. Tank used for remote setting. FIGURE 5. Oyster shells with spat in a remote-setting tray. FIGURE 6. Spat on cultch for replanting. FIGURE 7. Taylor floats used by an oyster gardener.
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