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NOAA FISHERIES
Off Gulf coast of Florida, giant concrete domes were dropped more than 200 feet underwater to help restore corals and sea life. All corals outplanted in 2025 survived and even grewScientists have deployed specially designed concrete domes off Florida’s northern Gulf coast to help restore coral habitats. The project ta...
The oysters nobody can harvest are still making money for coastal communities. Here’s howA 400-acre network of oyster sanctuaries in Pamlico Sound generated about $1.70 in economic & environmental benefits for every $1 invested ...
In 2019, 1,500 volunteers counted seals in 90,000 drone photos of a California island; some counts came within 5% of expert totalsIn 2019–2020, over 1,500 citizen scientists analyzed 90,000+ drone images to count wildlife on California's Año Nuevo Island. During winter...
Alabama dumped 16,000,000 used oyster shells from restaurants into the sea. What happened next surprised researchers in development of new coastal lines, marine life, and cleaner waterOyster shells are being repurposed along the Gulf Coast to restore essential marine ecosystems. By forming a strong foundation for new oyst...
In 2014, Massachusetts' JRWA began work to remove a dam sitting 10 feet below the Elm Street Bridge. 5 years later, the Jones River was freed for alewife, eels and trout once againElm Street project was also part of a broader sequence of restoration work on the Jones River. A previous obstacle, the Wapping Road Dam, h...
Rescuers free 18-foot Minke Whale entangled in rope after dragging fishing gear for 40 miles off cape codA young minke whale was freed from heavy fishing rope after days of entanglement. Rescuers located the whale more than forty miles from its...
In 2008, Virginia began paying fishermen to pull ‘ghost traps’ from Chesapeake Bay; six years of cleanup helped unlock an estimated $21 million in extra crab catchesVirginia's six-year program removed thousands of lost crab pots from Chesapeake Bay. This cleanup effort generated an estimated $21.3 milli...
Florida dumped 500,000 tonnes of used oyster shells into the sea. It has now developed new reefs, cleaner water and is recovering the coastal environmentOver the past 16 years, Florida has successfully returned over 500,000 tons of shells to the Gulf, providing vital surfaces for young oyste...
1978, Massachusetts developed a 127-acre reef of 2,500 concrete-filled tire bundles in Nantucket Sound; a 2019 survey found fish arrived in about 33 seconds at reefs versus nearly eight minutes over bare sandNearly fifty years ago, Massachusetts introduced tire reefs to enhance marine ecosystems. Recent research indicates that these structures n...
At Iowa's Neal Smith Refuge, turning just 10% of cropland into prairie strips cut sediment loss by 95%, phosphorus runoff by 90%, and total nitrogen loss by about 85%Native prairie strips can play a crucial role in reducing agricultural runoff, which has significant environmental implications. By prevent...
In 2015, California's Scott River Watershed Council built 2 artificial beaver dams to restore wetlands. 11 years later, juvenile coho survival rose from 8% to 60% in restored habitatArtificial beaver dams were built in northern California's Scott River valley. These structures helped recreate lost wetland habitat for ju...
In 1930, Texas built three bird-nesting islands; all vanished. One restored island is now home to over 2,500 nesting habitatThree Texas islands, once flourishing habitats for diverse bird species, have vanished due to natural erosion and subsidence. However, a si...
In the mid-late 1970s, Florida sank an F-101, F-102, T-33 and Sikorsky off Bay County; the aircraft served as fishing and diving reefs for more than 10 yearsIn the 1970s, Florida made a bold choice by sinking military jets and helicopters into the Gulf of Mexico, creating makeshift fishing and d...
In 2016, New Smyrna Beach faced Hurricane Matthew with planted living shorelines; winds topped 90 mph, yet the demonstration structures remained standingThe living shoreline initiative in New Smyrna Beach demonstrated remarkable resilience during Hurricane Matthew, effectively absorbing the ...
Camp Wilkes replaced a failed 150-foot wooden bulkhead with a living shoreline; a 60-year analysis found the switch would save the Biloxi camp about $73,000Camp Wilkes replaced a failed wooden bulkhead with a living shoreline. This ecologically friendly solution is projected to save the camp se...
In 2000, NOAA planted 500 square meters of cordgrass and added oyster shell on Pivers Island; the living shoreline later weathered Hurricanes Irene and FlorenceIn North Carolina, a living shoreline project has proven effective in combating significant erosion, relying on natural materials like mars...
In 2003, Florida's Manatee County acquired 482 acres of farmland for restoration. 5 years later, Robinson Preserve opened, and today 135 acres of coastal habitat are restored fueling $32.7 million in economic activityAt Robinson Preserve, restoration specialists designed protected water features that made it harder for larger predatory fish to reach juve...
In 2024, four dams were removed from an American river. Over 400 miles of Salmon habitat reopened. Scientists are now watching an ecosystem rebuilding itselfFour hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River were removed in 2024. This project opened over 400 miles of historic salmon habitat. Indigenou...
In 2019, this California sea creature was heading toward extinction; scientists raised babies in captivity and returned them to the oceanWhite abalone faced extinction due to overfishing and sparse populations. Scientists initiated a captive-breeding program, producing millio...
In 1918–1921, one dam built on California's Carmel River provided water storage but blocked fish runs; in 2015 it came down, reopening 25 miles of habitat for steelhead troutA century-old dam on California's Carmel River was removed, restoring fish spawning grounds. Crews rerouted the river and dismantled the st...