Mississippi and Alabama oyster gardeners have produced nearly 1.2 million oysters that have been planted on restoration reefs since oyster gardening started in Mobile Bay in 2001. These oysters have a restoration potential of 58.81 acres of oyster reef.
“Oyster gardening” is a term that means different things depending on where you are located. In Mississippi and Alabama, it is a volunteer effort focused on the restoration of local oyster reefs. Volunteers, also known as “oyster gardeners” help facilitate oyster growth by suspending oysters in cages, or gardens, from their piers. They do this, in part, by removing predators of oysters, like crabs, and shaking the oyster gardens in the water to remove excess mud and algae.
Oysters have many benefits
A key part of the program is to educate volunteers about the benefits of oysters. Many people do not realize how valuable oysters are to our ecosystem. Oyster reefs provide habitat for over 300 different species; some of which are recreationally and commercially important. An adult oyster is also capable of filtering up to 50 gallons of water per day, resulting in cleaner and clearer water. In addition to this, oyster reef structures help reduce coastal erosion. High energy waves roll in and break on oyster reefs causing them to lose energy and consequently reducing the erosion that would occur without a reef.
Janet Wright, an oyster gardener since the Mississippi pilot season in 2016 says, “I knew how valuable adult oysters are for filtering tidal waters, but I didn’t know much at all about their early life before I became an oyster gardener. Watching the little ones grow and learning what factors affect them was fascinating, and our gardens attracted a whole mini-ecosystem of oyster associates.”
Marine Science II students at Saint Stanislaus College (SSC) in Bay St. Louis, love the mini-ecosystems oyster gardens create. The students are especially fond of the blennies, which are oyster reef inhabitants who are often found in oyster gardens.
Learn more
To learn more about what is involved in the oyster gardening process, watch this video of Mississippi Oyster Gardener Shawn Lobree.
As we get ready to begin another oyster gardening season in both states, we are looking forward to the continued growth of the programs!
If you’re interested in oyster gardening this season – please contact us to learn how to sign up!
- Mississippi residents: [email protected]
- Alabama residents: [email protected]
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