Over the last few years there has been a growing interest in oyster aquaculture here in Alabama. In 2019, well over 2 million oysters were harvested and sold commercially by farm operations located in Mobile and Baldwin counties. In fact, there are now commercial oyster farms in all the Gulf states except Texas, which just recently had legislation passed and will now allow the industry to get started there.
As word has spread about the techniques and availability of oyster seed, we have seen an increase in people interested in growing oysters from private docks and piers for personal consumption in Alabama. Representatives from several agencies published a fact sheet to distinguish between three types of oyster culture off piers which are oyster gardening, growing oysters for personal consumption and growing oysters for commercial sale.
BEFORE pursuing any of these activities it is very important to understand where oysters are allowed to be grown in Alabama waters and how to harvest and handle them safely. There are naturally occurring bacteria, called vibrios, that can cause illness and even death, particularly for immune-compromised individuals. This risk is managed by ensuring that harvested oysters are chilled and kept cold within specific time windows to prevent the vibrios from multiplying and increasing the risk. It is strongly recommended that anyone harvesting oysters for personal consumption be aware of the risk and follow the requirements used for commercial harvest.
For more information about management areas and water quality testing contact the Alabama Department of Public Health, Byron Webb, 251-433-2428.
Oyster gardening is a restoration program in which volunteers grow oysters off private piers, and the oysters are collected and deployed to build natural reefs in the bay. Those interested in oyster gardening should contact the Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center ([email protected] or 251-438-5690).
Finally, commercial oyster farming requires an often-lengthy process that involves working with multiple agencies. For a more information, please follow this link: www.alaquaculture.com.
For assistance with establishing a commercial oyster farm, please contact me at the Auburn University Shellfish Lab by emailing [email protected].
There are many benefits to having more oysters in our area waters, and we aim to help anyone interested in growing and enjoying them safely.
Meet the author
Russell "Rusty" Grice
Oyster Aquaculture Business Specialist
Rusty joined Sea Grant in 2016. He helps oyster farmers navigate requirements for starting farms, and he helps streamline the harvest reporting process for existing farms. His focus is on... Read more
Phone: 251-229-0826
Email: [email protected]