Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - Volunteers Needed For Oyster Bagging Jan. 8 & 9

Volunteers are needed to help St. Lucie County bag oyster shells on Friday, Jan. 8 and Saturday, Jan. 9 from 9 a.m. - noon at Harbour Pointe Park, 350 Avenue M Extension E, Fort Pierce.

With the help of numerous volunteers, the St. Lucie County Erosion District has been bagging oyster shells in mesh bags and placing them into the Indian River Lagoon to help restore oyster beds. Oyster beds help improve water quality and provide habitat for marine life.  

Volunteers should wear comfortable clothing and bring sunscreen, water and gloves.

St. Lucie County is collecting oyster shells from area raw bars including: Mr. Manatee's, 12A Buoy, The Original Tiki Bar and Restaurant, Chuck's Seafood, Conchy Joe's, New England Seafood Market and the Ramp Raw Bar. If other local raw bars or seafood restaurants want to start collecting oyster shells, St. Lucie County has new five-gallon buckets with lids available. Restaurants can now save oyster (or clam, mussel, scallop, etc.) shells in multiples of five gallons. 

For more information about volunteering or donating oyster shells contact St. Lucie County Marine Resource Coordinator Jim Oppenborn at (772) 462-1713.