Last year, Elizabeth Lacey, associate professor of marine science at Stockton University, commenced a research project to determine if a berm of oysters could block current from disrupting eelgrass seeds in the bay and, in doing so, could help bring back the meadows of grass essential to a diverse and healthy ecosystem.

“Throughout the Barnegat Bay, seagrass beds are in decline as a result of sea level rise, climate change, boat prop scars and excessive nutrients,” said Stockton’s Susan Allen.