The Million Oyster Project

Who We Are

The Million Oyster Project was developed by The Maine New England Brasserie Co. and Fadi Abu Ghali. The initiative uses discarded oyster shells from The MAINE’s three outlets to rehabilitate reef systems off the coast of Dubai. The discarded shells from The MAINE are kept and donated to schools around the UAE, where students, their families and school staff turn the shells into a natural reef at sites approved by governmental agencies. This initiative is the first of its kind in the Region. Based on the success of the project, we plan to expand it into different areas outside the reserve contributing to the betterment of the UAE’s marine ecosystem and the protection of the endangered Hawksbill Turtle

What We Do

The MAINE restaurants discard over 500,000 oyster shells per year, which are then donated to students at schools who place the shells into discarded fish traps known locally as ‘gargoors’, which are funnel traps commonly used by fisherman and then discarded at sea when they get old. These traps pose a major risk to local species as they lay empty on the seabed. However, once filled with oyster shells they are transformed into a biological ‘building block’ from which whole reefs are constructed, turning an environmental hazard into a benefit that directly impacts the water quality, biodiversity, and physical geography of our waters. The students learn and experiment with different placements of these blocks, monitoring rates of reef establishment and species colonization over ensuing months in order to optimize the process and allow for the expansion of reef building efforts.

Dine & Donate

Every discarded oyster shell that is put back into the water and later regenerates into an oyster - filters 50 gallons of sea water per day. The Million Oyster Project aims to reach 1 million oysters within the next year to help build a beautiful and biodiverse environment for marine life in the UAE. Similar to coral reefs, oyster reefs also provide a complete habitat for hundreds of living species. Oysters grow off each other, creating an inclusive system for lively underwater marine life.

The more our guests dine, the more we are able to donate to this cause, helping the very environment that we thrive on close to home. Furthermore, The Million Oyster Project greatly encourages our colleagues and friends from the hospitality and food and beverage industry in Dubai, to join our efforts to reach this goal together.