Why a Tampa organization says saving oysters is ‘critically important’ to the environment

TAMPA, Florida. – What do we do with the oyster shells that people eat locally restaurants?

A Bay Area The organization says to put them in Tampa Bay to help grow more oysters.

“By turning them off, they serve as homes for future oyster populations,” says Richard Radigan of Tampa Bay Watch.

Tampa Bay Watch is a nonprofit environmental group that mobilizes volunteers to place oyster shells and concrete reef balls along our coasts.

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Scientists say they help create better habitats for juvenile fish and other wildlife while protecting the shoreline from erosion.

“It is extremely important for us to save our the ribsboth for us as Tampa Bay residents and for the wildlife that call Tampa Bay home.

The wildlife hotbed they focused on this week is Fantasy Island, a small stretch of sand in the middle of Tampa Bay formed when the shipping channel was dredged.

Seabirds took over and raised millions of young.

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Tampa Bay Watch has worked to build a living shoreline here using oyster shells, reef balls and other techniques to improve shoreline habitat and protect the island from coastal erosion caused by the wind and the wake of ships and boats crossing the bay.

Efforts began 20 years ago and will continue into 2025.

Radigan says they’re needed more than ever as our region is hit with bigger storms.

“Major weather events like storms have a profound effect on these coasts, and we want to protect them as best we can,” says Radigan.

Tampa Bay Watch is looking for volunteers for 2025. For more information, click here.

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