Mississippi looking to expand its shellfish production through new private leases

The U.S. state of Mississippi is opening up more areas of its coastline to on-bottom molluscan shellfish leases in a bid to increase oyster production in the state. 

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resource (MDMR) is still actively seeking requests for proposals from interested parties looking to perform shellfish aquaculture – mainly oyster aquaculture – via on-bottom farms. The new effort stems from the passage of Senate Bill 2544 during the state legislature’s 2023 regular session, which clarified the authority of the department to lease sections of ocean bottom for oyster growing and harvesting.

“These revised regulations will enable private individuals or businesses to lease previously unavailable water bottoms, fostering a sustainable and supportive framework for shellfish production in Mississippi while ensuring environmental and conservation compliance,” the MDMR said in a release.

On-bottom oyster farming involves establishing a bed of “cultch” materials, or a mass of stones, broken shells, or grit which helps form the oyster bed. Seed oysters can then be established along the bed and grown until harvest size.

Under the new rules, Mississippi is granting leases for a term of 15 years, with each lessee having the right to renew the lease for an additional 15 years as long as they are actively cultivating and gathering shellfish and complying with provisions of the rules.

One of those rules requires anyone maintaining a lease ensure “maximum cultivation and propagation” of oysters through the terms of the lease.

The primary objective of the new rules and regulations, according to the MDMR, is to increase the oyster production of the state as a means of also stimulating economic development.

“This includes job creation, revenue generation, and support for associated industries such as hatcheries, processing facilities, and seafood markets,” the MDMR said. “The overall goal is to promote the prosperity of coastal communities and foster a thriving shellfish industry in the state.”

The new leases are part of new efforts by Mississippi to restore its oyster population and industry, which in the past has seen mixed results. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 caused heavy losses to the industry – which historically had fishermen harvesting from managed areas – and also wiped out oyster beds. The later British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 added to the decline, and the opening of the Bonnet Carré spillway on the Mississippi River – which releases freshwater into Mississippi Sound – in 2011 further reduced oyster numbers.

The state undertook restoration efforts in 2016, but repeated openings of the Bonnet Carré spillway a historic three years in a row in the lates 2010s ended up impacting oysters once again.

The state’s efforts have been criticized by fishermen, and have largely failed, according to a report by ProPublica. Reefs maintained by the state have continued to shrink, and Mississippi’s public reefs haven’t been harvested by fishermen. Local fishermen also report that the state failed to do routine maintenance, and many have given up fishing for oysters altogether.

Nearby Louisiana, meanwhile, has maintained oyster populations through private leasing, with the overwhelming majority of oyster harvests coming from private leases.

Now, Mississippi is working to follow Louisiana’s lead with the latest legislation and request for lease applications.

“The updated regulations are designed to establish a vibrant and sustainable shellfish industry,” the MDMR said. “They emphasize responsible cultivation practices, ensuring the long-term protection of the marine environment for future generations.”  

Photo courtesy of Paul Mickle