FGCU group studying the impact of Lake Okeechobee water releases on oysters
FORT MYERS – FGCU Professor Dr. Felix Jose says there are a lot of natural oyster reefs within the Caloosahatchee and San Carlos Bay area. He’s helping lead a study on how well they’re thriving.
Oyster reefs in Southwest Florida have been dying at an alarming rate. Students at FGCU are studying the reefs to find out how water releases from Lake Okeechobee are impacting them.
SWFL has lost nearly 90% of its oyster reefs. Since healthy oysters mean healthy water, the group wants to make sure there are more of them.
Warm waters in late June cause oysters to start spawning eggs in San Carlos Bay.