Oyster Shell Bags – Tampa Bay Watch, Inc

About

Our Mission

Tampa Bay Watch is dedicated to fostering a healthy Tampa Bay watershed through community-driven restoration projects, education programs, and outreach initiatives.

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Restoration

Education

Discovery Center

Explore our educational space on the St. Pete Pier, featuring interactive exhibits, daily programs, and a touch tank full of animals from the estuary!

Get Involved

Together, we can bring life to the bay.

It takes a community to make lasting change and protect the future of Tampa Bay’s ecosystem.

Volunteer Calendar

Check out all of our upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Become A Member

Are you passionate about protecting our waterways? Take a stand for Tampa Bay’s future.

Our annual events are designed to educate, entertain, and strengthen the community.

Host an unforgettable occasion at our beautiful waterfront event space.

Oyster Shell Bags

The oyster shell bag program creates oyster reefs similar to natural oyster communities found along shoreline areas throughout Tampa Bay. These bags give us the flexibility to create different shapes and sizes of oyster reefs in a variety of settings. Weighing in at about 35 lbs. each, the shell bags are installed in areas with lower wave energy but good tidal flow. Featuring abundant nooks and crannies, oyster larva will attach all over and inside of the bags, creating a productive and enhanced habitat.

How does it work?

Tampa Bay Watch works with local municipalities, government agencies, and other environmental organizations to identify priority restoration sites around Tampa Bay. Once a site has been identified, Tampa Bay Watch designs the best project for the location, secures the necessary local, state, and federal permits, and coordinates and implements the hands-on community-based habitat restoration projects.

See below to view restoration progress at Lassing Park.

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Before

After

What To Expect

1

Deliver shell material to staging area

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2

Project brief with volunteers, including instructions and a safety briefing

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3

Work begins! Shovel material into aquaculture grade mesh bags & transport to work site

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4

Install bags at project site to create a new oyster reef

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5

Walk away with a deeper appreciation for the environment and pride for contributing to its preservation

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Questions?

Contact Eric Plage, Oyster Reef Ball Program Coordinator: eplage@tampabaywatch.org

Oyster Reef Balls

Vertical Oyster Gardens