Galveston Bay Foundation Receives Funding for Oyster Restoration

Houston, TX (September 6, 2018) – Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) has partnered with Toadfish Outfitters, a manufacturer of thoughtfully designed coastal lifestyle products, to benefit GBF’s Oyster Restoration Program. Charleston-based Toadfish Outfitters will donate $2,000 toward GBF’s efforts, in addition to an ongoing portion of its Texas-based sales.

 “Oyster reefs in Galveston Bay have drastically declined over the years and Galveston Bay Foundation works to reintroduce new restoration reefs and rehabilitate current reefs,” said Michael Niebuhr, Habitat Restoration Coordinator at GBF. “Partnerships make these efforts to provide new habitat and homes for baby oysters possible. We are very excited to work with Toadfish Outfitters, a company that understands the importance of oysters and oyster reefs to the health of Galveston Bay.”

 In 2017, GBF’s Oyster Restoration Program saw over 216,000 pounds of oyster shell returned to the Bay and recycled over 376,000 pounds of oyster shell thanks to the help of hundreds of volunteers. Funds from this donation will be used to recruit more volunteers to expand their program.

 “Oysters are the ultimate friend of the coast as they help to keep our waters clean,” said Casey Davidson, founder of Toadfish Outfitters. “Since day one, we’ve promised to give back a portion of every product sold toward oyster habitat restoration, so working with the Galveston Bay Foundation was a natural fit.”

 Toadfish Outfitters is best known for its Put ’Em Back shucking knife made with a rust-resistant stainless-steel blade and an ergonomically designed handle crafted out of post-consumer recycled plastic. The company has also rolled out a shrimp deveiner tool and and a series of inshore rods, sales from all products will go toward oyster habitat restoration. 

To support GBF’s efforts, individuals can purchase items from Toadfishoutfitters.com or visit a local retailer where Toadfish products are sold, such as Sur La Table. 

“A single oyster filters up to fifty gallons of coastal water per day, removing the toxins from run off and creating a coastal habitat where hundreds of smaller species like barnacles, mussels, crab, can thrive,” said Davidson. “It’s nature’s way of keeping the coast clean.” 

About Toadfish

TOADFISH OUTFITTERS is a manufacturer of thoughtfully designed eco-friendly coastal products and apparel. It is an eco-active company dedicated to protecting the saltwater environment and keeping it healthy; educating customers to better understand the cause and effect of over-harvesting versus replenishment and elevating everyone’s enjoyment of the water.

 About Galveston Bay Foundation

Established in 1987, the Galveston Bay Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its mission is to preserve and enhance Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for generations to come. It implements diverse programs in land preservation, habitat restoration, water quality and quantity, youth education, and advocacy. For further information, contact the Foundation at (281) 332-3381, visit www.galvbay.org, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram or twitter @GBayFoundation