They provide food, protection from storms and even help filter our water but oyster reefs in the Gulf of Mexico and beyond are declining at an alarming rate. Disease, pollution and even vinyl seawall construction all are taking a toll. However, efforts to save and repopulate the invaluable organisms are underway, including in classrooms at the University of South Florida. “We're facing a huge decline in oyster populations, about 85%. With that getting so low, we're wiping out entire communities,” says Tina Piracci, a professor at USF’s Judy Genshaft Honors College. Piracci and Biology & Ecology professor Dr. William Ellis teach a collaborative course where students combine art and STEM to try and turn the tide for oysters in the Gulf. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/3d-oyster-bricks-gulf-of-mexico-usf-research/67-84106b7a-039c-405d-8dff-f5bc697196d3 ►Subscribe: https://on.wtsp.com/youtube ►Website: https://www.wtsp.com/ ►Facebook: https://facebook.com/10TampaBay ►X: https://twitter.com/10TampaBay