TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — Down by the Sponge Docks, a noble project gets underway.
Two local Girl Scouts are leading a unique project to help improve water quality. They’re using oyster shells to create vertical oyster gardens. The oyster gardens act as a natural filter for pollutants in the water and a habitat for small marine life.
“The main purpose of them is for oyster larvae to attach to them so they can start growing,” says Susie Mills, Girl Scout Troop 712 & 807.
Girl Scouts Rylie Waddell and Susie Mills are leading the project.
“We saw that our waterways are kind of murky, full of pollution,” said Rylie Waddell, Girl Scout Troop 712 & 107. “We know that’s not good for the environment or the health of our sea life and we want to make a change in that.”
Each shell is placed on a rope to create what’s called a ‘vog,’ or vertical oyster garden. The vog is then tied off near the sea wall where it acts as a natural filter.
“Each vog has 20 to 25 oyster shells and those oyster shells will attract oyster larvae because oyster larvae look for a hard-like surface to kind of cement to,” says Waddell. “So they will grow and they’ll grow into mature oysters, which can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day.”
The girls are not alone on their mission. Behind them is a team of family and volunteers.
“I’m just happy that other people also see the problem and want to help,” says Mills. “It’s very encouraging because I know I wouldn’t be able to do this all by myself.”
“It’s such a noble project and our river needs help,” says Mick Poppa, harbourmaster for the City of Tarpon Springs.
People who frequent the river already recognize their hard work.
“Some of my fishermen at the marina that have slips at the marina are always so remorseful about what’s going on with the estuaries upriver and how the fishing isn’t as good as it used to be,” said Poppa. “This will do nothing but help that.”
With 100 vogs as their goal, Waddell and Mills are looking to make a sizable impact.
“We hope to clean up most, if not all, of this waterway,” said Mills.
Protecting the water and what comes with it.
Calvin Lewis
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