A shell planting restoration project is underway in Cedar Key in an effort to enhance our impaired oyster reefs. Since April, about 120 cubic yards of clam shell, previously collected from area wholesalers and stored at a county site, have been broadcasted over a half acre area in the Corrigan`s Reef intertidal complex. To appreciate how this project works requires one to have an understanding of basic oyster biology. Oysters spawn in our warm waters over a prolonged period; but generally there are several peaks, with a major spawning peak occurring in the spring as water temperatures reach 75 degrees F. Billions of eggs and sperm are released into the water column where fertilization occurs. A fertilized egg develops rapidly into several microscopic, free-swimming larval stages. After about 12 to 20 days, the larva develops a foot and eye spots and is referred to as a pediveliger, or "eyed larva." Pediveligers migrate from the water column to the bottom and can crawl short distances to find suitable sites for settling (thus the term "setting"). Setting occurs when the larva cements itself to a hard substrate, preferable a calcareous substrate, and metamorphoses into a tiny oyster called a "spat." 
Each clam shell contains a large number of oyster spat. At this stage, the spat have distinctive purple stripes on their shells.
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The simplest and effective form of oyster restoration conducted in Apalachicola and other Gulf of Mexico states is to place (plant) oyster shells or other appropriate materials (cultch) in an area where oyster larvae are likely to settle. 
John Gunter, an environmental specialist with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, inspects clam shells that were planted on Corrigan's Reef about 8 weeks ago.
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In Cedar Key, clam shells are being evaluated as cultch materials. John Gunter, an environmental specialist with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services` Division of Aquaculture, recently tonged up a few clam shells to check on the project`s progress. Every clam shell contained at least 12 to 20 oyster spat. These spat will undergo rapid growth during the summer months. Reefs that are restored using these techniques may become productive in 12 months under optimal conditions. The Department, along with the Cedar Key Oystermen`s Association, will continue clam shell planting efforts throughout the summer. | 
