We are readying gear and shell for the upcoming oyster gardening season in Alabama and Mississippi.
The programs have grown tremendously over the last few years, and 2019 looks to be a record setter with 150 bags of spat-set shells heading to gardening sites.
Recycled shells are collected from area restaurants and allowed to season for a minimum of six months. After this time, they need to be washed and bagged to be suitable for oyster larvae (spawned at the Auburn University Shellfish Laboratory) to settle and attach to.
These tiny specks are individual oysters which have attached to the larger parent shell.
After a few weeks, they will be delivered to gardening sites in Alabama and Mississipppi.
With the help of the gardeners, these tiny oysters will filter water, grow and provide habitat for other aquatic species. At the conclusion of the season, the oysters, which will average 2.5 inches in length, will be planted on restoration reef sites in the two states.
Meet the author
P.J. Waters, Ph.D.
Associate Extension Professor
P.J. is an associate extension professor with Auburn University. He coordinates the Mobile Bay Oyster Gardening Program and its projects, as well as K-12 aquaculture/aquascience programs. PJ works... Read more
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