BRUSH NECK OYSTERS: Water Quality Initiative
Become an ambassador of the bay by adding an ‘Oyster Garden’ to your dock or bulkhead with zero headache!
Let our team take care of the set up, monthly maintenance, and winterization to keep your oysters alive and filtering year round.
Annual cost includes 1,000 baby oysters (spat) from Cornell Cooperative Extension’s SPAT Program + Full Set Up & Maintenance Service provided by the Dawgpatch Crew.
Once your oysters reach maturity (18 months) you get to eat them right from the end of your dock!
Each year your supply will be replenished by the next round of ‘spat’ reaching maturity - creating a sustainable source of fresh oysters for your personal enjoyment.
Monthly maintenance includes cleaning, tumbling, sorting (culling) oysters and equipment upkeep.
IMPACT:
1,000 Oysters at the end of your personal dock can filter up to 50,000 gallons of water per day.
There are over 100 eligible homes within DEC certified waters in Sag Harbor. If each one of these permitted homes took part in this program we could add over 100,000 oysters to the bay - filtering over 5,000,000 gallons of water per day.
When oysters are raised in containment they are given the best chance at reaching maturity (1-3 years) and provide a definite, quantifiable impact.
Mature oysters release their spawn directly into the bays and coves, and promote wild settlement / repopulation.
Who are the Dawgpatch Bandits?
The Dawgpatch Bandits core crew has always been made up of swimmers, surfers, lifeguards, paddlers and watermen raised in and around Sag Harbor. After spending as much time in the water as we have, we know our bays need help. And now, with your help, we can all do our part to be good stewards of the water for the next generation to enjoy.
Your floating oyster cages will be set up to suit you dock, and will not hinder any boating activities.
Annual BUDGET BREAKDOWN:
SPAT Ambassador Fee:
(includes 1,000 oysters annually) = $250 for the 1st year and $155 per annual renewal
Annual Maintenance Fee:
(includes routine monthly maintenance April - December) = $1,695
Spring Set Up + Winterization = $350
Additional Material = $250 (includes accessible lunchbox for 3“ oysters ready for your personal consumption)
Project Management = $200
TOTAL ANNUAL COST = $2,745
*D.P.B will ensure that all NYS DEC and SPAT Program protocols are followed. The oysters raised are for personal use ONLY and can not be sold commercially. This program is only available in NYS DEC certified waters, no exceptions.
If you are interested in signing up please fill out the form below and we will be in touch to schedule an in person dock visit! There are only 30 spots open for the 2026 season, first come first serve.
“Day after day the oyster will filter the water, absorbing free amino acids and converting phytoplankton into rich minerals and protein. Dissolved calcium and carbon are converted into shell. The calcium carbonate shell will eventually sequester about 12 grams of carbon per oyster, helping combat climate change.”
Dawgpatch Bandits Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. All gifts made are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Federal Tax ID: 84 – 1874707