The Takeaway Message:

Our human activities on land can impact ocean life below. Warmer waters are leading to smaller oysters, while the dumping of ships’ ballast water can exacerbate the spread of coral disease.

What’s going on? 

In February, data showed oysters on the Gulf Coast are measuring about a third smaller than usual, likely due to human-caused climate change. This is because warmer waters decrease the availability of oxygen needed for oysters to grow.  In South Florida, corals are facing a new disease possibly exacerbated by the dumping of ships’ ballast water.  

Why it matters:

Oysters are important filter feeders that remove nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from the water column. It is estimated that one oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day. Smaller oysters filter less water than average, leading to degraded water quality that makes it harder for underwater plants to photosynthesize and grow.  

Besides providing habitats to many marine organisms, coral reefs also protect coastlines from damaging storms, provide nitrogen and other nutrients to the marine food web and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 

But, it’s not all bad news. Humans are also proposing solutions to the water problems we’ve caused. For example, scientists and engineers from the South Florida Water Management District are considering rehydrating the Rescue Strand area in the Everglades to help wading birds, and Florida’s role in the shark fin industry may be diminishing thanks to a new bill headed to Gov. DeSantis’ desk.   

What can I do? 

  • Support organizations that are working to restore oyster reefs, like The Nature Conservancy.  
  • Learn more about ways you can help restore coral reefs by reading our blog post.
  • Participate in citizen science coral restoration programs, such as the Rescue a Reef program from the University of Miami. 
  • Preserve the biodiversity of fish and marine animals by eating sustainably and following NOAA’s Fish Watch guide.  
  • Follow these tips from the South Florida Water Management District to lessen your own impact on Florida’s water quality and habitats. 

Learn more: