Promoting Oyster Aquaculture in Mississippi, the Gulf, and Beyond

(This oyster aquaculture proposal is a work-in-progress,)

According to NOAA Aquaculture, farmed oysters, clams, and mussels account for about two-thirds of total U.S. marine aquaculture production. Oyster aquaculture includes the breeding, rearing and harvesting of oysters in marine environments for human consumption, oyster reef restoration, or habitat creation

OVERALL GOAL OF THIS PROPOSED PROJECT

Review related literature about oyster aquaculture in the U.S and develop economic models of alternative oyster aquaculture systems suitable for the state and the region. Conduct outreach about the benefits of oyster aquaculture to the seafood industry, coastal communities, seafood consumers and the general public.

U.S. OYSTER AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION

Estimates of U. S. oyster aquaculture production are based on data released by NOAA Fisheries.

MISSISSIPPI OYSTER AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION

This section shows the data on annual production of oysters from Mississippi private oyster leases.

RESTORING MISSISSIPPI OYSTER INDUSTRY PRESENTATION

Presented during the Second Meeting of the Oysters in the Economy Committee of the Governor’s Oyster Restoration and Resiliency Council. Lakeshore, Mississippi.

ALTERNATIVE OYSTER AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS

Develop economic models of alternative oyster aquaculture systems suitable for the state and the region. These models will be initially based on existing oyster aquaculture systems in the Northeastern and Western states. It will attemp to measure both the market and non-market benefits of alternative aquaculture systems.

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