Oldsmar Mayor Eric Seidel and Safety Harbor Mayor Joe Ayoub are challenging their residents and nearby communities to take action to clean up the waters of Upper Tampa Bay.
“According to a water quality report provided by Tampa Bay Watch, our upper Tampa Bay waters are the least healthy of the entire bay,” Seidel said. “Upon hearing this information, I reached out to the Tampa Bay Estuary Program and learned of the benefits of Vertical Oyster Gardens. A healthy oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, which will help clean our bay through these sustainable efforts.”
The initiative will officially launch on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 9:00 a.m. at the Pier Shelter of R.E. Olds Park with residents invited to create Vertical Oyster Gardens (VOGs) to hang from private docks and the park’s fishing pier.
Made from recycled oyster shells strung on heavy-duty rope, the VOGs attract oyster larva from nearby waters and grow into small oyster reefs where they filter water and provide habitat for small fish and other invertebrates.
“We chose VOGs to kick off the challenge because they’re easy to make and don’t require a permit,” said Ashlee Painter, Oldsmar sustainability coordinator. “It’s a pilot program so we’ll take the idea and run with as many things as possible like seagrasses or native plants.”
Two local restaurants – Salt Rock Tavern and Great Catch – are donating the oyster shells, she said. Forty VOGs will be made for the fishing pier at the R.E. Olds Park with others distributed to homeowners with docks where they can be hung.
“Safety Harbor is excited to be participating in the Save Our Bay Mayor’s Challenge,” says Safety Harbor Mayor Joe Ayoub. “We are looking forward to the good this program will do for our bay.”
For more information regarding the ‘Save Our Bay’ Program, visit SustainableOldsmar.com.