The American Littoral Society will continue its habitat restoration efforts along Delaware Bay at
Thompsons Beach, Maurice River Township by building an intertidal oyster reef upon the
original footprint of past restored reef while testing and evaluating biodegradable shell bag
materials.

Brief Description: Delaware Bay is one of the most productive estuaries in North America and
hosts the second largest population of migrating shorebirds in the Western Hemisphere, and the
largest breeding population of horseshoe crabs (L. polyphemus) in the world. Additionally,
Delaware Bay provides critical habitat for 35% of the region’s threatened and endangered species
including the federally threatened rufa red knot (Calidris canutus). Thousands of people also
depend on the productivity and health of Delaware Bay and its wildlife for their livelihoods and
have become highly vulnerable to impacts of sea level rise and storm surge due to climate
change.

The proposed project involves the addition of up to 3,500 shell bags and or other shell
containment materials on top of our previously permitted reef footprint to create up to 13 reef
units/segments. The reef will consist of two rows that will run parallel to the shoreline and will
consist of units/segments composed of shell-filled bags and or jute-prisms. The shell used will be
comprised of whelk, oyster, and/or clam shell. As part of this project, we will also be testing and
evaluating biodegradable shell bag materials within a portion of the reef.

The American Littoral Society and project partners have been working over the last 12 years to
develop, implement, and identify successful approaches and strategies to beach management for
horseshoe crabs and shorebirds in Delaware Bay. This project expands upon our previous work
by building on our past experiences and adaptively implementing strategies to restore beaches
within the bay. In addition to proving resilience and protection to vital coastal habitat, this project
will incorporate and study plastic-alternative materials and engage and involve the community
through volunteer opportunities. We anticipate that increasing the height of the existing reefs will
further reduce wave energy and create a calmer environment shoreward of the reefs, resulting in
less beach erosion and improved sediment transport within the system.

Resource Values/Project Outputs: Improved resiliency; erosion rate reduction and improved
sand residence time for horseshoe crabs and foraging shorebirds; combatting sea level rise and
climate change; project messaging and outreach; improved habitat; understanding the application
of plastic alternative materials in reef restoration.

Cost/Budget: $112,728.50 provided through RAE NEP Watershed Grant
 

Schedule: Project implementation will begin October 18, 2025 and be completed end of year.
Permit Status: Permits and approvals have been secured or requested under our existing permits.
 

List of Partners: RAE, American Littoral Society, Stockton University, and Wildlife Restoration
Partnerships.

What is requested from the CWRP/Contribution: $25,000 for added material and sub-contractor
costs incurred during initial restoration (e.g. shell, bag and shell containment materials, pallet
moving). Implementation to start October 18, 2025.
 

Point of Contact: Captain Alek Modjeski, 732-589-5116 alek@littoralsociety.org