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Reef Balls®, a.k.a "oyster domes" help replace oyster habitat in areas where it has been lost. Oyster domes were originally designed to rebuild coral reefs all over the world. Tampa Bay Watch's oyster domes are placed along seawalls and shorelines to restore hard bottom habitat, improve water quality or reduce shoreline erosion.
- Reduce erosion - Domes weaken strong waves that cause erosion. When a wave hits the dome, most of its "energy" goes in the sides of the domes and comes out the top, like a volcano eruption.
- Provide habitat - The holes provide smaller species of fish and crabs a hiding place from larger fish and birds. The domes help make it possible for small fish to live long enough to become the big fish we like to catch!
- Encourage oyster growth - Oysters need to attach to a hard structure to grow into adults. The rough texture of the domes makes it easier for oysters to grow on them.
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EROSION: When soil or sand is washed away from land by wind or waves
Marine friendly concrete is poured into a fiberglass mold containing a large round buoy surrounded by smaller rubber balls, creating the holes in the oyster domes. Microsilica
is mixed with the concrete to balance the pH so oysters are attracted to the domes.
- Oysters are natural filters, cleaning up to 10 gallons of water per hour. More oysters mean a cleaner bay.
- Oysters are a food source for birds, fish (such as sheepshead) and other wildlife.
- A multitude of smaller fish, crabs, shrimp and other critters live among the oysters and provide food for the larger fish and wildlife.
- Oyster dome habitats are great places to catch fish.
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The domes are created with help from students and teachers
from bay area schools, community associations and
volunteers. Tampa Bay Watch has a mobile trailer that
brings this program to local schools and project sites.
Dome building takes place when oysters are spawning
(making babies), usually in late winter through the spring.
Talk to the Tampa Bay Watch scientists to find out how you
can be a part of this program.
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Tampa Bay Watch’s Community Oyster Reef Enhancement (CORE) program creates oyster shell reefs similar to natural oyster communities found along the shoreline of Tampa Bay. The reefs improve water quality, restore hard bottom and
provide habitat.
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An important step in any restoration process, Tampa Bay Watch works closely with governmental agencies and other environmental organizations to identify sites that need improved habitat and erosion control.
OYSTER SPAT: Oyster larvae, baby oysters that are free-floating and need to attach to a solid surface to begin growing into an adult
For more information contact Kendall Sanderson @ ksanderson@tampabaywatch.org
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* Note: Description and Photos Obtained from Tampa Bay Watch