A new community-built oyster reef has come to Three Mile Harbor as of June, thanks to a collaboration between the East Hampton Town Shellfish Hatchery, South Fork Sea Farmers, local students, and restaurants. Installed just off Swans Marina, the reef is the fourth in a growing network of non-harvestable reefs designed to restore water quality and marine life across the East End.
To support this work, South Fork Sea Farmers is hosting its 8th Annual fundraiser on August 17 at the home of Jeff Ragovin and Kurt Giehl. Proceeds benefit both the reef-building programs and student scholarships for local East End youth who are pursuing studies in marine science, sustainability, or environmental stewardship. This year’s Marine Steward of the Year award is also being presented to Gina Bradley from Paddle Diva for her dedication to clean water.
This effort builds on the success of three thriving reefs already established in Accabonac Harbor. Behind the scenes, hatchery staff worked throughout the winter to raise young oysters—called spat—that attach to cured shells and begin filtering the harbor. Each oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, removing excess nutrients and supporting marine biodiversity.
“This project is what community science is all about—students learning hands-on, creating habitat, and seeing firsthand how shellfish improve water quality,” said Barley Dunne, Hatchery Director. “It’s an investment in the bay, and in our next generation of stewards.”
Local students from East Hampton High School are helping construct the reef using reclaimed shells donated by Il Buco, Bostwick’s, Rowdy Hall, Almond, Lunch, Shark Bar, and the Billion Oyster Project.
“Each reef we build is a living system,” said Robert Tymann, Education Chair at South Fork Sea Farmers. “These students are building something that will last — and clean the harbor in the process.”
The project is also supported by Mickey’s Carting, which donated trucking services to deliver over 35,000 pounds of cured shell. Dozens of local volunteers have helped collect, clean, and cure the shells for use in the reef.
“When local businesses step up like this, it shows how much people care about the future of our waters,” said Jeff Ragovin, President of South Fork Sea Farmers. “This reef belongs to the whole community.”
For more information, visit southforkseafarmers.org.