Vertical Oyster Gardens help clean Tampa Bay

Our Vertical Oyster Gardens (VOGs) are made from recycled shells from participating local restaurants. The shells are strung on a length of rope and suspended in the intertidal zone to create hard substrate on which oysters can affix themselves. Tampa Bay Watch uses various methods to create new oyster habitat including: Vertical Oyster Gardens, Oyster Reef Balls, & Oyster Shell Bags.

Oysters are important because they help filter water and are an important food source for birds and fish. A single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, so more oysters mean a cleaner bay!

Learn more about our programs at our headquarters’ website: www.tampabaywatch.org.

Installing your VOGs in a few simple steps

1. Choose a place for your VOGs

You can hang your VOGs wherever there is tidal flow. Areas that receive tidal flow will have mussels, barnacles, sea squirts, or other oysters already growing, so check your dock for these organisms. Also ensure that your installation space has water deep enough to cover your VOG at high tide.

3. Measure and hang your VOGs

Hang your VOG so that the oyster shells hang level with the oyster and barnacle growth on your dock pilings or seawall. You may need to tie an additional length of rope to your VOG so that it hangs at the appropriate height.

2. Place eye screws in the side of your dock

Using a drill, fasten your eye screws firmly in place. If you are hanging multiple VOGs, make sure the screws are spaced at least 3 feet apart. Be aware that stainless steel is the only material that will not rust and need to be replaced over time.

4. Watch your Vertical Oyster Garden grow!

It may take several months for oysters to colonize your VOGs. Look out for the community science survey in your email so that you can report your findings (oysters or not) and help us collect data.

Thank you for becoming a Vertical Oyster Gardener!

Questions? Please email Richard Radigan at rradigan@tampabaywatch.org.

FAQs

  • We typically recommend leaving 2-4 feet of space between each VOG.

    This will prevent VOGs from knocking into each other and breaking.

  • Vertical Oyster Gardens will be most successful at providing habitat when they hang in the intertidal zone. You can look around at nearby seawalls or dock pilings to see where barnacles, mussels, or oysters are already growing. Try to hang your VOG parallel to invertebrate species growing nearby.

  • Yes, your VOG will hang above the water part of the time and underwater part of the time. This pattern will fluctuate throughout the year along in conjunction with the tide cycles.

  • It will typically take at least 6 months before you see oysters growing on your VOG. Oysters reproduce about twice a year, so depending on what season you install your VOG it may take longer to see oyster recruitment. Once oyster spat have settled on your VOG it may take a few more months for these oysters to grow large enough that they are visible to the naked eye.

  • Vertical Oyster Gardens will not typically cause damage to a structurally sound dock. Please make sure that you install your VOGs in a location that is out of the way of swimmers and boats that might use your dock. Oyster shells are sharp and will scratch!

  • Vertical Oyster Gardens typically last about 5 years before the weight of growing oysters causes the base oyster shell to break. At this point the new oyster growth will fall to the sea floor and continue to provide valuable habitat space for wildlife.

How can I help?

  • Install your VOG

    Pick up a FREE VOG at the Discovery Center & install it on your dock! By helping oysters populate, you’re helping clean the bay & feed local wildlife.

  • Tell your friends

    Even if you don’t own a dock, you can help by spreading the word! Tell your friends everything you’ve learned about oysters, VOGs, and our mission to restore the bay.

  • Volunteer with Tampa Bay Watch

    Our Oyster Recycling Program is made possible by our wonderful community of volunteers. You can join us to help collect oysters, build VOGs, transport VOGs, and more!