This season’s hurricanes are threatening the growing “off-bottom” or high-end oyster industry along the Gulf Coast, The Conversation reports.
The United States produces multiple species of oysters, but historically the eastern oyster has accounted for over 70% of total harvests. The Gulf Coast generally accounts for 80% of those, with production generating $1 billion in annual revenues.
Louisiana is the national leader in oyster production, with a handful of other states vying for second place, including Washington, South Carolina and Texas.
The Gulf’s first commercial “off-bottom” farms started in Alabama and Louisiana in 2010. Raising oysters “off-bottom,” or in raised in baskets suspended in shallow water, takes a lot of time and money, but has a big potential payoff. They are destined for the high-end raw bar market, where offerings are denoted by specific appellations, like “Salty Birds” from Florida, “Navy Coves” and “Murder Points” from Alabama, and can retail for twice the price of oysters harvested from traditional on-bottom reefs.
Today more than 50 farms are operating in Florida, Alabama and Louisiana, with permits pending for others in Mississippi. Harvest data is limited, but in Alabama alone, eleven farms collectively reported nearly $2 million in sales in 2016. In recent years Alabama has ranked among the top five states in per-unit value.
When Hurricane Michael made landfall at Mexico Beach, Florida, on Oct. 10, it dealt a devastating blow to this nascent industry. Preliminary reports indicate significant damage and heavy crop losses.
