We’re happy to share some exciting updates on our 2023 microgrant recipient, Coastal Technology Corporation (CTC), and their innovative Oyster Stacks™ – devices designed to protect coastlines and restore marine ecosystems.

This summer, CTC’s Oyster Stacks have been busy proving their positive impact.

At the Nantucket Brant Point Shellfish Hatchery, plates were successfully set in tanks and are now preparing for relocation to a tidal estuary, where they’ll continue to foster oyster growth.

Oyster Stacks plate recruitment by tank-setting at the Nantucket Brant Point Shellfish Hatchery (Massachusetts). Photo: Coastal Technology Corporation.

Meanwhile, at the Stony Brook SoMAS Flax Pond Marine Laboratory estuary, Oyster Stacks saw remarkable results: vigorous oyster growth and zero mortality after 120 days.

This is a huge contrast to traditional bagged-on-bottom shell substrate projects on Long Island’s North Shore, which have suffered 80%–100% mortality from predators and siltation.

Oyster Stacks oyster colonization by natural recruitment at the estuary of the Stony Brook SoMAS Flax Pond Marine Laboratory (New York). Photo: Coastal Technology Corporation.

The Oyster Stacks are also breaking new ground in water quality. In partnership with Cornell, CUNY, NYC DEC, and SoMAS, modified Oyster Stacks were piloted to tackle combined sewage outflow (CSO) pollution by cultivating ribbed mussel colonies.

Ribbed mussels, unlike oysters, can filter human pathogens at a finer scale, offering a promising solution to prevent disease transmission, toxic algae blooms, and fish kills in areas affected by raw sewage outflows, where previous efforts to establish ribbed mussels had failed.

Cornell, CUNY, NYC DEC and SoMAS piloted modified Oyster Stacks to bioremediate human fecal contamination and excess nutrients through the establishment of ribbed mussel colonies (New York). Photo: Coastal Technology Corporation.

Closer to home, CTC is making strides in North Carolina! With the help of Stardust Startups NC and our ongoing collaboration with the NC Coastal Federation, the permitting process for deploying Oyster Stacks is officially underway.

These efforts are paving the way for a future where Oyster Stacks protect vulnerable shorelines, restore marine habitats, and improve water quality.

We’re proud to support CTC as they scale these climate action solutions. Stay tuned for more updates as these projects move from pilot to long-term impact!

Learn more about the Coastal Technology Corporation’s Oyster Stacks here.