GROWING AREA MANAGEMENT
MOLLUSCAN SHELLFISH GROWING WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The purpose of the Molluscan Shellfish Growing Waters Management Plan is to ensure the sanitary control of molluscan shellfish produced for human consumption within the State of Mississippi.
The management plan is designed to update growing water management criteria on an annual basis. Each year all growing waters will be evaluated, and management plan criteria will be assessed and changed accordingly.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) Shellfish Bureau, following the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) Model Ordinance, classifies oyster growing waters through rigorous water quality monitoring and annual shoreline surveys.
This process, known as the Shellfish Sanitation Program, ensures that growing waters meet the required standards for safe oyster consumption, thereby safeguarding public health. Illnesses from consuming raw or undercooked molluscan shellfish often result from elevated levels of bacteria from human and animal waste, known as fecal coliforms, which concentrate in oysters during the filter feeding process.
The molluscan shellfish growing waters located in the Mississippi Sound are divided into 8 areas beginning in the west with Area 1 and ending in the east with Area 8. Mississippi currently uses five classifications as defined by the NSSP Model Ordinance. They are defined as follows:
- Approved – Molluscan shellfish growing waters classification used to identify a growing area where harvest of shellfish for direct marketing is allowed.
- Conditionally Approved – Molluscan shellfish growing waters classification that meets the criteria for approved classification except under certain environmental conditions such as rainfall and river stage. Conditions specific to each area are described in the MDMR Shellfish Bureau management plan
- Restricted – Molluscan shellfish growing waters classification used to identify a growing area where harvesting shall be by special license and the shellstock, following harvest, is subject to a suitable and effective treatment process through relaying or depuration
- Prohibited – Molluscan shellfish growing waters classification where the harvest of shellstock for any purpose is not permitted, except depletion, gathering of seed or nursery culture for aquaculture.
- Unclassified – Waters that are not classified as molluscan shellfish growing waters and from which the harvest of shellfish is prohibited pending classification by the MDMR based on a sanitary survey of the area.
The interactive map below depicts Mississippi’s molluscan shellfish growing water classifications.
HAZARDS OF ILLEGAL OYSTER HARVESTING
The MDMR Shellfish Bureau actively protects public health, but oyster harvesters are essential partners in ensuring oysters are safe to consume. Molluscan shellfish growing waters are regularly monitored for harmful pathogens and marine biotoxins that can lead to severe or fatal illnesses. Harvesting oysters from closed or prohibited areas—or from piers and marinas—is illegal and jeopardizes both human health and the Mississippi oyster industry.
Human pathogens, such as norovirus, Vibrio species, and enteric bacteria, naturally occur in coastal waters or can be introduced through runoff after rainfall. Symptoms of illness include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, fatigue, and headache. While cooking oysters to an internal temperature of 140°F eliminates human pathogens, marine biotoxins may remain.
Harmful algal blooms can cause illnesses like Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP), and Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP). Symptoms of these illnesses often include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, with PSP potentially causing tingling, numbness, drowsiness, headache, and difficulty swallowing.
For those planning to harvest oysters in Mississippi waters, it is crucial to verify which areas are open for harvest, as well as holding a valid harvesters license and be certified in any training applicable to that harvest license. Consumers, particularly those with weakened immune systems, should always inquire about the source of oysters and purchase raw seafood only from reputable retailers, licensed harvesters, or certified seafood dealers. Please use the link below for a map of Mississippi seafood dealers and retailers and contact your local health department if you experience any illness symptoms after eating oysters. Information on area closures can be found on the Mississippi Oyster Harvest Map or by calling the Oyster Hotline at 228-374-5167/1-800-385-5902.
HARVESTER EDUCATION
In 2014, the ISSC mandated that all states engaged in shellfish harvesting must implement an educational training program for oyster harvesters. This training covers essential topics such as shellfish sanitation requirements, safe harvesting practices, proper handling and transportation methods, and more. Additionally, harvesters are provided with the necessary materials to complete trip tickets and tags in the field, even under challenging environmental conditions.
Completion of the program is a prerequisite for obtaining a commercial oyster harvester license, and the training certificate must be renewed every five years. Currently, interested parties can schedule a training by emailing the Shellfish Bureau at oyster@dmr.ms.gov or calling 228-374-5000. To streamline the process, a training video is being developed to provide oyster harvesters with a comprehensive, concise, and consistent learning experience. The video will enable remote access, making the training more accessible to participants. More details will be provided in the new future.
