Northern Beaches Council is partnering with scientists from the University of Sydney, local students and the community to see whether oysters can help clean up urban waterways like Curl Curl Lagoon.

Oysters will be measured and tagged by Year Two students from Curl Curl North Public school on Thursday 12 October, before being attached to 26 man-made reef balls. These will be grouped together to form “oyster castles” in the lagoon.

Council General Manager Environment & Infrastructure Ben Taylor said the research project follows a similar 2015 experiment by the same group of scientists at Manly Lagoon which offered valuable environmental insights.

“This is a great learning opportunity for students and residents to engage in a real science project that directly affects their local area.

“As well as the potential to clean the lagoon, these “oyster castles” have inspired the students’ interest in nature and helps nurture their passion for environmental science,” Mr Taylor said.

The oysters and surrounding aquatic life will be monitored for a year. It is anticipated that the “oyster castle” reef will result in an increase in fish and birds with the added benefit of improving the water quality of Curl Curl Lagoon.

Research suggests that oysters filter waterways as well as improving their water quality. A single oyster can filter up to 190L of water a day.

The project also involves collaboration with the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Friends of Curl Curl Lagoon.

The reef balls have been specially engineered with a neutral pH material to promote the settlement of additional filter-feeding aquatic animals like mussels and tube worms.

A photo opportunity is available at Curl Curl Lagoon on Thursday 12 October.