CANARSIE — Oysters are more than simply delicacies for consumption. The filter feeders serve as a natural water filter, form reefs that increase habitat and subsequent marine biodiversity levels, and also help protect the city’s shorelines from storm surges.

On the afternoon of Aug. 14, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries clearly acknowledged the importance of these bivalves by announcing that $963,000 in funding be given to the Billion Oyster Project (BOP) for restoration of the Paerdegat Basin shoreline in Canarsie.

The presentation was hosted by the Paerdegat Yacht Club before a crowd of approximately 100. 

The BOP will also use the federal funds to expand STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) educational opportunities for New York City public school students studying for marine careers, where they will get a chance to learn more about marine biology, scuba diving, boat operations and aquaculture.

The goal of the BOP, a nonprofit organization that was created in 2014, is to restore oyster reefs to New York Harbor in collaboration with New York City communities. The organization hopes to restore one billion oysters by 2035.

Benefits for decades to come

“Oysters are an incredibly important part of coastal resilience and maintaining the ecosystem that has been eroded over time, especially in the era of extreme weather events that we have been addressing,” Jeffries said. “The benefit of this project is enormous in terms of cleaning the water, opening up and strengthening the ecosystem, and allowing for marine life to grow, flourish and expand. 

“I believe the Billion Oyster Project will help strengthen and protect the coastal shoreline here in Canarsie in ways that will benefit the people of this great neighborhood for decades to come,” Jeffries said.  

Pete Malinowski, executive director of the BOP, said, “What we are working towards here is a future where all of New York harbor is clean, abundant and accessible. 

“This oyster reef project will serve to clean the water, provide habitat for other animals, and protect and restore the shoreline,” Malinowski said.

Katie Mosher, BOP’s director of programs, referred to the nearly $1 million in funding as “momentous.” 

“This is about more than just oysters,” Mosher said. “It’s about building the community together, and that’s what sells the whole project. People want to be involved in something that is meaningful and see the direct impact that hands-on work has.” 

Jeffries added that he hopes people understand that “the Federal government will continue to partner with local communities to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods like Canarsie and other areas of Brooklyn.”