In November 2017, BESE-elements were attached to a pier in Vero Beach, Florida. This was done in collaboration with the Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) and various home-owners. The BESE-elements were placed in a bay where oysters already grew on hard sediment.
Oysters, specifically the Eastern Oyster, are known for the filtering properties. Home-owners around the bay want to increase the oyster population to improve the water quality in the bay. FWC also wishes to increase the oyster population in the nearby Indian River Lagoon Nature Reserve.
After about 1 year, when the oyster larvae have settled, the BESE-elements will be translocated from the pier in the bay to the Nature Reserve. BESE-elements decompose over time, leaving only natural reef behind.
The bay, along with the BESE-elements form a nursery for oysters.
