Community Oyster Reef Enhancement in Tampa Bay

Peter Clark

Executive DirectorTampa Bay Watch, Florida

•• 501 (c)(3) non501 (c)(3) non--profit stewardship program dedicated profit stewardship program dedicated exclusively to the charitable and scientific purpose of protectiexclusively to the charitable and scientific purpose of protecting ng and restoring the marine and wetland environments of the and restoring the marine and wetland environments of the Tampa Bay estuary.Tampa Bay estuary.

Tampa Bay Watch

Bay Grasses In Classes

Before

1 year later

6 months

Cockroach Bay

SeagrassSeagrass

Sand TubesSand Tubes

Derelict Crab Trap ProgramDerelict Crab Trap Program

Native Plants

Storm Storm DrainDrain

MarkingMarking

Coastal Cleanup EventsCoastal Cleanup Events

Monofilament Fishing Line Monofilament Fishing Line CleanupsCleanups

MonotubesMonotubes

Marine Education Center Marine Education Center Programs Programs

““HandsHands--on Tampa Bayon Tampa Bay””Estuarine EDventuresEstuarine EDventures

TBW Summer CampsTBW Summer Camps

Educational OutreachEducational Outreach

Community CenterCommunity Centeravailable for weddings, meetings & more!available for weddings, meetings & more!

CORECORECommunity Oyster Reef Enhancement

Engaging community members in hands-on habitat restoration

The Amazing OysterBenefits:Create habitat & foraging areasReduce shoreline erosionWater filtrationCommunity education

OysterShell Bars

Palonis ParkPalonis Park

665 linear feet665 linear feet53.5 tons53.5 tons257 volunteers257 volunteers

Tarpon KeyTarpon Key755 linear feet755 linear feet49 tons49 tons264 volunteers264 volunteers

Whiskey Stump KeyWhiskey Stump Key

250 linear feet250 linear feet22 tons22 tons151151 volunteersvolunteers

Shell Bars Since 2001443 tons of shell5,421 feet of reef

Whiskey Stump KeyMacDill Air Force Base Green KeyPalonis ParkFantasy IslandDavis TractLittle Bird KeyThe KitchenTarpon KeyFt DeSoto ParkSuncoast Seabird

Sanctuary

Oyster DomesOyster DomesBayshore Boulevard Seawall Oyster

Dome Project

Urban Restoration along seawallsUrban Restoration along seawalls

Before and AfterBefore and After

Phase IPhase I

Phase IIPhase II

Phase IIIPhase III

MacDill Air Force Base

Since 2004Domes – 2,480Shell bars – 67.5 tons3,725 feet of reef

Phase IPhase I

Phase I

Phase II

Phase III

Oyster Domes – since 19983,767 domes6,000 feet of reef

Bayshore BoulevardMacDill Air Force BaseCoffee Pot BayouBallast PointVinoy BasinCunningham KeyFantasy IslandDemon’s LandingHomeowner’s docks

Future issues:FundingPermittingSite ID

Restoring the Bay Every Day!