Restoring Fantasy Island after double hurricanes
FOX 13’s Lloyd Sowers reviews on a Tampa-based nonprofit group making an attempt to revive shoreline erosion within the Bay Space through the use of shucked oyster shells.
TAMPA, Fla. – What do you do with the shells of oysters that individuals eat in native eating places?
One Bay Space group says to place them in Tampa Bay to assist develop extra oysters.
Tampa Bay Watch volunteers place oyster shells on Bay Space coastlines.
“By placing them out, it serves as houses for future oyster populations,” says Richard Radigan of Tampa Bay Watch.
Tampa Bay Watch is a non-profit environmental group that mobilizes volunteers to put oyster shells and concrete reef balls alongside our coastlines.
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Scientists say they assist create higher habitats for juvenile fish and different wildlife whereas defending the shoreline from erosion.
“It’s critically essential for us to save lots of our coastlines, each for us as residents of Tampa Bay and the wildlife that decision Tampa Bay residence.”
The house for wildlife they’ve centered on this week is Fantasy Island, a small patch of sand in the course of Tampa Bay shaped when the transport channel was dredged.
Tampa Bay Watch volunteers working to place oyster shells on Bay Space coastlines.
Seabirds took it over, they usually’ve raised thousands and thousands of offspring.
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Tampa Bay Watch has been working to assemble a Residing Shoreline right here utilizing oyster shells, reef balls, and different methods to enhance the shoreline habitat and defend the island from coastal erosion brought on by wind and the wake of ships and boats passing by means of the bay.
The efforts began 20 years in the past and can proceed in 2025.
Radigan says they’re wanted extra now than ever, with our space being pounded by larger storms.
“Main climate occasions like storms have a profound impact on these coastlines, and we need to defend them as finest we are able to,” says Radigan.
Tampa Bay Watch is on the lookout for volunteers for 2025. For extra data, click on right here.
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