Year: 2023
Project(s):
Mississippi Oyster Gardening Program (Part 2)
Relevance
Oyster reefs have decreased in Mississippi as a result of freshwater influx and hurricanes. Oysters and oyster reefs provide many benefits to the local ecosystem including habitat for over 300 species, water filtration and coastal erosion prevention by slowing high-energy waves.
Response
Professionals with the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Consortium worked with 96 volunteers across 48 oyster gardening sites in coastal Mississippi.
Results
Volunteers grew 35,559 oysters that a team of Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center and Mississippi Department of Marine Resources employees collected and deployed in the Mississippi Sound. There were 48 participating volunteer gardening sites at the end of the year, and the oysters collected had a restorative potential of 1.73 acres and $44,582.38 in economic value.
Recap
Professionals with the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Consortium worked with 96 volunteers in coastal Mississippi to produce 35,559 oysters for local restoration purposes. (2023)