We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Diversifying Louisiana's Oyster Industry Through Alternative Oyster Culture.
- Authors
Kron, Roy
- Abstract
Louisiana Sea Grant has implemented a $3 million, three-year aquaculture grant program to expand alternative oyster culture (AOC) in Louisiana's coastal zone. AOC involves growing oysters in floating or bottom-placed cages, which helps to minimize losses from predation, biofouling, and disasters like hurricanes. This method aims to diversify the state's traditional oyster industry, which is facing threats from habitat loss and declining water quality. AOC is not meant to replace the traditional oyster fishery but rather to supplement it by providing a new method of bringing a valuable Louisiana product to market. The success of AOC operations depends on various factors, including farm size, labor, seed availability, transportation, marketing costs, and consumer demand. Louisiana Sea Grant has also addressed the legal issues surrounding AOC and drafted legislation to authorize oyster aquaculture parks. The grant program has supported both experienced and new AOC farmers, and the impact of the grants is already being seen as growers start to harvest and sell cage-grown oysters. The funding for the program came from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.
- Subjects
LOUISIANA; OYSTER culture; OYSTERS; AGRICULTURAL economics; FISHERIES; GOVERNMENT aid
- Publication
Oceanography, 2024, Vol 37, Issue 1, p99
- ISSN
1042-8275
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.5670/oceanog.2024.206