Page 98 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2025

Oystster Aquaculture
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of MDMR
Mississippi’s Off-Bottom Oyster Program Aims to Revive Industry and Boost Sustainability
In an effort to restore the Mississippi oyster industry, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) has expanded its Off-Bottom Oyster Aquaculture (OBOA) Program, offering training and support for a new generation of oyster farmers.
Off-bottom oyster aquaculture involves growing oysters in mesh containers—such as baskets, bags or cages—suspended
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above the seafloor. Unlike traditional wild oysters that grow in clumps on the bottom, off-bottom oysters are typically hatchery- raised, single-set individuals. The system keeps oysters off the seabed, preventing sediment buildup and reducing exposure
to predators, which helps the oysters grow faster and more uniformly.
“This method allows oysters to thrive in areas that were www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living