Habitat design to reduce predation and improve shellfish reef restoration
Investigating innovative design and construction approaches using clay 3D printing to create predation refugia for shellfish reef restoration.
Cluster
Nature-led Resilience and Nature-based Climate Solutions
Research partners
Crib Point Foreshore Reserve; City of Greater Geelong Council
Project team
Dr Brendan Lanham (Lead CI, School of BioSciences), Dr Rebecca Morris (School of BioSciences), Dr Stanislav Roudavski (Melbourne School of Design), Dr Rochus Hinkel (Melbourne School of Design), Nigel Brockbank (Melbourne School of Design), Joe Barrins (Melbourne School of Design)
Contact
Project summary
Australia's native flat oyster survives in just 1% of its former range. This project will investigate innovative design and construction approaches using clay 3D printing to create predation refugia for shellfish reef restoration. By integrating ecological research, computer-aided design, and advanced fabrication techniques, the team aims to develop scalable solutions that protect juvenile oysters and enable large-scale reef recovery.
What are we interested in?
In Australia, shellfish reefs are functionally extinct. Predation has emerged as a key constraint on oyster survival during restoration efforts, and current mitigation methods using mesh cages are not easily scalable.
The goals of our project
To develop and test 3D-printed clay substrates that provide predation refugia for juvenile oysters, creating reproducible designs that can scale from experimental to reef-restoration levels.
Outcomes / activities
Field testing of experimental structures at The Dell Eco Reef (Bellarine Peninsula) and Crib Point (Western Port) during summer 2025/26; development of more sustainable restoration substrates using clay rather than carbon-intensive concrete; community engagement through local primary school education programs.