https://www.nyashellcollectors.org/home daily 1.0 2020-07-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590090445387-7XBHHRLIKCJ94BZ383O5/48181360816_0eb299a195_4k.jpg Home - Why Oysters? Oysters benefit local marine ecosystems. Their shell is a key component in New York oyster restoration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590165864368-KCTV9UGT9FS8DTQXWU9V/oyster-shells.jpg Home - How to Collect & Cure Oyster Shell Learn more about the policies, regulations, and best practices regarding shell collection and curing in New York. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590166218572-YQZ3E27LHJV2CQOLH1KI/unnamed-1.jpg Home - Advocacy The New York Alliance of Shell Collectors is dedicate to advocating for state and national policies in line with our mission. https://www.nyashellcollectors.org/nyascmembers daily 0.75 2022-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590091472231-T2LQLX6MQ3B8ZGNMJYZW/unnamed-2.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590093412913-JDU2RNZEC3QE08FUO8JB/image-asset.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590094034563-MRWC8YZMVFTS4TUG0HQS/unnamed-9.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/f7bcd72c-85ef-436b-95f1-d9d8ae614b58/Friends+of+the+Bay+2019+Logo+clear.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590093969592-COSXJPU4MRTBII9QRJQA/unnamed-7.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590091415815-XBWX3DKM8ZKIKWK41WTT/unnamed-1.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1609271808825-G6JAY4TOEWCG2OKEH8R8/image.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/4c0418e5-8876-45ee-a2d1-9ead9cda106b/image-asset.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1609271622425-RV7BVV6ZA25BX4MXQAWV/image.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1609271832405-TSA9NDE5NOFRE6T8VP5T/unnamed-6.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/ab1d7952-ad37-4c87-92ba-96e621edfe0a/Logo.jpg https://www.nyashellcollectors.org/home-1 daily 0.75 2020-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590167535553-03GYCHTVVZGDXETC1ET4/bulls+bay+sos+copy.jpg Why Oysters? - Oysters Filter Water Oysters filter water as they eat, which helps clarify the water and remove certain pollutants, including nitrogen. This is very important to a marine ecosystem, because excessive nitrogen triggers algal blooms that deplete the water of oxygen and create “dead zones.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1591630469614-957XEUU0GT2GKEIQ3HR0/Billy.jpg Why Oysters? - Oyster shells are collected locally. Much of the shell used as substrate for oyster reef restoration in New York State is collected locally from restaurants by our member organizations. Thanks to New Yorkers’ love for oysters, these shells are a plentiful local resource. But chefs purchase oysters from across the United States and Canada - meaning shells come from waterbodies beyond New York. Proper curing is necessary. All oyster shells originating from waterbodies outside New York may act as a vector for pathogens and introduce nonnative or invasive species into New York waterways. Curing oyster shell, or leaving shell in the elements for 6 months, eliminates this transfer. Without proper curing, oyster shells introduced to local waterways may cause irreversible impacts to natural resources, the ecosystem, and pathology. https://www.nyashellcollectors.org/rules-regulations daily 0.75 2020-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590594238985-9I2AST6K19KIDIOX2GAS/oyster-shells.jpg Rules & Regulations - Curing Shell Curing in New York State must abide by: DEC's Acceptable Origin Of Shell & Shellstock In NY Waters. Best Practice Overview Air curing usually takes place for a MINIMUM of 6 months Shell piles cannot exceed 3 feet high Shells must be subject to periodic turnover and rotation to allow all sections of the shell pile to be exposed to the air Shells must be cured during the warm weather months (May through September) All shell, regardless of origin, must be devoid of any tissue material, sediment, fouling organisms, or any other material on the shell prior to introduction. State representatives may inspect shell to make sure it's acceptable to use in New York waters. Permits to Consider Tidal Wetlands Permit (needed if curing on a tidal wetland or adjacent areas): Required for activities taking place on tidal wetlands which extend to a maximum depth of 6 feet at Mean Low Water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590529265104-0EHO6O7R7OVM14M65WPZ/Billy.jpg Rules & Regulations - Collection Shell Collection in New York State must abide by: 6 NYCRR Part 360.12 Beneficial Use DEC's Acceptable Origin Of Shell & Shellstock In NY Waters Best Practice Overview All organizations storing shell for restoration use must obtain a BUD (Beneficial Use Determination - see below). Local shell obtained from shellstock native to New York is preferred, but not required. Fossilized shell may be obtained from an out-of-state source provided that it has been air cured for at least six months. Shell collected from an in or out-of-state source may require testing for parasites, pests, and other associated pathogens prior to introduction and will be subject to at least 6 months of air curing. Required Permit Applications BUD (Beneficial Use Determination) Permit as stipulated in 6 NYCRR Part 360.12, which includes: Petition (first time BUD application) Annual Report Renewal (every 5 years) https://www.nyashellcollectors.org/nys-bill-a00258 daily 0.75 2021-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590597214422-DHHC4WMXL4MTBL1EDQQB/unnamed-2.jpg NYS Bill A.00258 https://www.nyashellcollectors.org/equipment daily 0.75 2020-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590614402585-YUFG9Q3F841I2AYGDSB7/BillionOysterProject_5galbuckets.jpg Useful Equipment 5 gallon bucket for restaurant storage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590615969046-JLDMT74Q3TQK8HQDU8XT/BillionOysterProject_BinLifter.png Useful Equipment Bin lifter to unload 32 and 64 gallon toters into dumpster. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590614402424-B0L34BP9AVC5G3CYLVV0/BillionOysterProject_bucketlids.jpg Useful Equipment Lids for buckets to minimize smell. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1591030610866-MXAT1LLASZ986MWZ94K2/Shell%2BCollection%2BPile%2Bof%2BGov%2BIsland.jpg Useful Equipment 30 cubic yard dumpster holding shells https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590614403337-KU6P46P006YAVN936CMB/BillionOysterProject_64GalBins_32GalBins.png Useful Equipment 64 and 32 gallon toters for restaurant storage. https://www.nyashellcollectors.org/restaurant-partners daily 0.75 2020-07-22 https://www.nyashellcollectors.org/take-action daily 0.75 2021-02-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec69c2db33e8a5db4b4b7df/1590597214422-DHHC4WMXL4MTBL1EDQQB/unnamed-2.jpg Take Action https://www.nyashellcollectors.org/take-action-1 daily 0.75 2025-06-10