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<strong>2024</strong> N EW SMYRNA BEACH AREA VISITORS GUIDE<br />
Sustainability<br />
Author: Sandy Lang<br />
Along with serving up icy platters of oysters on<br />
the half-shell, local restauranteurs pass along<br />
the good vibes. Through an innovative local<br />
program, the shells of shucked oysters are<br />
collected and used to build up vital ocean reefs.<br />
Each delivery of shells is part of<br />
something bigger—a community-wide focus on<br />
sustainability in New Smyrna Beach Area.<br />
The “Shuck and Share” program is coordinated<br />
by the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna<br />
Beach to return shucked oyster shells to the<br />
ocean. The busy, nonprofit center also offers<br />
daily eco-tour boat excursions in the Indian<br />
River Lagoon’s North Causeway as part of<br />
its mission to educate about and preserve<br />
the aquatic biosphere. (Its myriad of marine<br />
scientific study and programming also includes<br />
shoreline restoration and water-quality projects,<br />
and surveys of sea grass and horseshoe crabs.)<br />
CARE<br />
EVERY OYSTER SHELL COUNTS<br />
Through “Shuck and Share,” area restaurants<br />
are able to dispose of shucked oyster shells at<br />
the Center, instead of adding to the trash and<br />
local landfills. Returned to tidal saltwater, the<br />
oyster shells help keep the water clean, stabilize<br />
shorelines and create growing communities for<br />
living oysters.<br />
68<br />
Visit<strong>NSB</strong>FL.com
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