| GOMA-supported interns in Pinellas County, Florida, are working on a project to reduce waste by collecting oyster shell from restaurants that would otherwise go to a landfill.
Finding good quality oyster shell to use in coastal restoration projects has been difficult and expensive due to limited local supply. Non-profit groups in the Tampa Bay area have oyster shell recycling programs but more capacity is needed to meet the demand of restaurants that would like to recycle shell. Pinellas County hopes to partner with up to five restaurants to pilot a shell recycling program. This intern program is funded by Equinor, USFWS and NOAA through our Gulf Star Program. |