Year: 2024
Relevance
Oyster reefs have decreased in Alabama and Mississippi as a result of freshwater influx, hurricanes and man-made disasters. Oysters and oyster reefs provide many benefits to the ecosystem, including habitat for over 300 species, water filtration and preventing coastal erosion by slowing down high energy waves.
Response
Professionals with the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium worked with 206 volunteers across 103 oyster gardening sites in coastal Alabama and Mississippi.
Results
133,742 oysters were collected by Auburn and Mississippi Department of Marine Resources staff. Oysters had a mean height of 64.46 mm in Alabama, 42.84 mm in west Mississippi and 33.81 mm in East Mississippi. These oysters had a restorative potential of 6.5 acres and $172,543 in economic value. All oysters were planted on a state-protected living shoreline in Mobile Bay or provided to Mississippi Department of Marine Resources for deployment onto Mississippi oyster reefs.
Recap
Engagement professionals with the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium worked with 206 volunteers in coastal Alabama and Mississippi to produce 133,742 oysters that had a restorative potential of 6.5 acres and $172,543 in economic value.