Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille’s two St. Petersburg restaurants collectively recycled 14,267 pounds of discarded oyster shells in 2025, helping Tampa Bay Watch build new oyster reefs and living shorelines throughout the Tampa Bay Estuary. The shells were collected at the Jungle Terrace and St. Petersburg Pier locations for the nonprofit organization’s Shells for Shorelines program.
“Last year was our first full year participating in the initiative and we’re thrilled with the results,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group, the parent company of Doc Ford’s. “By donating and diverting shells from the landfill, we’re helping Tampa Bay Watch’s important conservation efforts.”
The restaurants serve fresh shucked-to-order Gulf oysters on the half shell and Yucatán baked oysters marinated in signature sauce and baked with creamy Manchego cheese topping. Both preparations are longtime menu favorites and reflect Doc Ford’s Caribbean Rim-inspired approach to seafood.
Doc Ford’s began partnering with Tampa Bay Watch in the summer of 2024 and recycled nearly 4,600 pounds during the inaugural year. Shells for Shorelines provides free recycling collection at local restaurants and cures the shells before placement. Demonstrating the power of community and environmental stewardship in action, the innovative coastal restoration initiative transforms discarded oyster shells into shell bags for vertical oyster gardens. It has collected 322,434 pounds of shells since the program’s inception in 2022.
“Tampa Bay Watch has been pleased to partner with Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille to recycle oyster shells for restoration efforts taking place throughout Tampa Bay,” said Reagan Fennessy, the organization’s oyster shell recycling program coordinator. “Tampa Bay Watch has truly enjoyed the partnership.”
Dedicated to fostering a healthy Tampa Bay watershed, Tampa Bay Watch achieves its mission through community-driven restoration projects, education programs and outreach. For more information, visit tampabaywatch.org.
