St. Pete will soon be home to Tampa Bay’s first — and only — sustainable oyster farm

It’s happening! Tampa Bay’s very first — and only — sustainable oyster farm is being cultivated by husband-and-wife duo Brian and Lindsay Rosegger. 

The Lost Coast Oyster Company will be stationed at 1360 52nd Avenue North in St. Pete, with full-water-column aquaculture farm equipment. 

Basically, the couple will be using a technique where oyster seeds are planted in floating bags — making them quicker to grow and easier to harvest year-round.

After five failed attempts, the Roseggers gained approval from Governor DeSantis' cabinet and the State of Florida to launch the Lost Coast Oyster Co. in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, making it the southernmost aquaculture lease of its kind in the continental U.S. 

The impact the Lost Coast Oyster Co. will have on the environment will be massive — including an increase in the quality of the water due to the innate filtration system oysters possess, as well as the preservation and restoration of the gulf’s natural estuarine systems.

This summer will mark the first growth period for the oyster company.

In the near future, the couple hopes to market their boutique oysters to local restaurants in the area.

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This article appears in Mar 7-14, 2019.