Page 12 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2022

COAST NOTE
story by Victoria Snyder
photos courtesy of Oyster South
www.oystersouth.com
ou might not think about it when you’re
out at a restaurant eating your favorite oysters – but those came from an oyster
farmer, likely from our own Gulf Coast. Oyster South is a nonprofit organization
that wants to connect oyster farming communities in the South and provide them with resources. Its members wish to advance oyster aquaculture in our communities.
While the nonprofit’s focus is on meeting
the needs of oyster farms, they are well aware of all stakeholders in the industry and want each individual to share their knowledge
and experiences with oysters to encourage practical research that seeks creative solutions to challenges.
Oyster South takes sustainability and environmentalism seriously. It understands the heritage of the oyster on the Gulf Coast and wants oysters to remain a part of the culture for many years to come.
This month, the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art will be hosting the Oyster South Symposium from April 5-7. The Symposium brings together producers, gear suppliers, distributors, chefs, food writers, vendors, researchers, students, and managers from the Southeast region to discuss pressing issues and relevant, practical research on oyster aquaculture. It is meant for people in the oyster industry who want good, hands-on, and practical information. If you are interested in attending this event, you can purchase tickets via the Oyster South website.
The Symposium, and the nonprofit as a whole, work to spotlight not just the economic, but also the environmental benefits of oyster farming
in the South. Widespread knowledge of these benefits can lead to an increase in sustainable seafood production, improve the health of our waters, increase the prosperity of our coastal communities, and bring about an appreciation for southern farm-raised oysters.
12 | April 2022
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