The Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC) has recommended seven research projects worth nearly $2.3 million to receive funding in its 2026-2028 funding cycle. The university-based projects aim to help people, policymakers and resource managers make decisions that lead to the responsible use of ocean and coastal resources in Alabama, Mississippi and the Gulf of America region.
The projects that are recommended for funding cover research topics in fisheries and aquaculture, community resilience and habitat restoration.
These research projects were selected through a competitive review process. They aim to support solutions to coastal issues that MASGC has identified through community, industry and agency input. Funding amounts listed include any matching funds.
“MASGC’s research program is carried out to answer high-priority questions,” MASGC Director LaDon Swann said. “The research discovery from these projects is then translated into MASGC education and engagement programs to inform the people who need it to make the most informed decisions possible.”
Getting the most bang for your oyster enhancement buck. $295,297. Dan Petrolia, Mississippi State University
The research team will compare six oyster reef enhancement methods to determine which ones provide the greatest ecological and economic benefits for the money invested. Using existing studies, expert input and cost-benefit calculations, the team will estimate the value of ecosystem services, market returns and tradeoffs, such as selling farmed oysters versus using them for restoration. The results will help agencies, practitioners and growers choose the most cost-effective strategies for strengthening oyster reefs and supporting coastal communities.
Building the resilience of Gulf Coast blue economies in a changing world: A multiple case study. $325,414. Matthew Jurjonas and Christopher Anderson, Auburn University
The research team will evaluate the impact of the Gulf Resilience Community of Practice and assess how coastal communities in Alabama and Mississippi adapt to growing environmental and economic challenges. Through case studies in Pass Christian and Biloxi in Mississippi and Bayou La Batre in Alabama, researchers will explore how local economies and cultural identities influence resilience priorities. Using interviews, focus groups and document analysis, the team will identify key barriers to adaptation and recommend practical ways Sea Grant can strengthen community-led resilience efforts.
Sea Grant coastal adaptation and resilience: AI-enabled urban flood monitoring systems. $374,333. Hamed Moftakhari and Wei Song, The University of Alabama
The research team will use AI along with street-view cameras and advanced computer tools to quickly spot flooding and estimate how deep the water is. By turning existing cameras into an AI-powered, real-time flood monitoring network, the team will capture local flood conditions that often go unnoticed and use this information to improve both emergency response and long-term planning. Researchers will also work closely with the City of Mobile and other community partners to design AI-supported tools that are useful, easy to understand and tailored to local needs. Input from Mobile staff will serve to verify the AI network’s overall performance, with the goal of building a model framework that can be successfully replicated in other coastal communities. The results will help city officials, emergency managers and residents better prepare for flooding, reduce disruptions and make their communities safer and more resilient
Developing a decision-making guide for oyster restoration practices. $362,993. Delbert “Lee” Smee, Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) and University of South Alabama (USA); Ben Belgrad, DISL; John Lehrter, USA and DISL; and Rusty Grice, Auburn University Shellfish Lab
The research team will build experimental oyster reefs using a variety of oyster-growing methods to help restoration practitioners choose the most effective sites and techniques. They will test approaches such as cultch planting, remote setting, “toughening” oysters with predator cues, adding shade and predator protection, and placing reefs at different tidal elevations. When the study is finished, the team will develop a map identifying the best locations and strategies for successful oyster restoration in Mobile Bay, Alabama.
Microbial biomarkers as an early warning system for Sudden Unusual Mortality Syndrome (SUMS) in oysters. $367,897. Andrea Tarnecki, Auburn University Shellfish Lab; Angelo DePaola, DePe’s Oyster Farm; Asim Bej, University of Alabama at Birmingham
This project will study the tiny microbes living in and around oysters to figure out if any signal the early stages of SUMS. SUMS can kill more than half the oysters on some farms in a very short time, causing major financial losses for growers. By using advanced sequencing tools, the research team will aim to develop a rapid test that warns farmers when a SUMS event is starting and evaluate practical strategies (like moving oysters or reducing crowding) to reduce deaths.
Reducing mortality and increasing oyster farm productivity through water grading techniques. $205,110. Andrea Tarnecki and F. Scott Rikard, Auburn University Shellfish Lab, and Evan Webster, New Reef Oyster Company
The research team will test whether keeping oysters underwater during the grading process (which sorts the oysters by size) helps them survive and grow better. Researchers will compare submerged grading to traditional out-of-water grading on a working farm and in a controlled experiment, tracking oyster survival, growth, shell quality and water conditions. They also will evaluate how well each grading machine performs and whether the submerged method offers a good return on investment for growers. The findings will help farmers make informed decisions about equipment and techniques, while also giving manufacturers research-based feedback on this new grading approach.
Understanding Sudden Unusual Mortality Syndrome (SUMS) in Oysters. $343,609. Anna Linhoss, Auburn University, and Andrea Tarnecki and F. Scott Rikard, Auburn University Shellfish Lab
The research team will investigate the causes of SUMS in Eastern oysters by combining field monitoring at six commercial farms with laboratory analyses and advanced hydrodynamic and machine-learning models. Researchers will track water quality, oyster physiology, parasite loads and mortality in both diploid and triploid oysters to identify the environmental and biological factors that trigger SUMS events. The team will then analyze its data to determine what conditions make oyster die-offs more likely and to identify signs that an event is going to occur. Oyster farmers, resource managers and scientists will be able to use these results to help prevent losses and keep Gulf Coast oyster farms healthy and sustainable.
The Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium is one of 34 Sea Grant programs supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in coastal and Great Lakes states. Sea Grant programs encourage the wise stewardship of marine resources through research, education, engagement and technology transfer.
Meet the author
Melissa Schneider
Communications Coordinator
Melissa Schneider coordinates public information, educational media and communication services for Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant. Some of MASGC's communications projects include our website, social... Read more
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