FUTURE OFF-BOTTOM AQUACULTURE HARVESTERS
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is accepting applications for the 2025 – 2026 Off-Bottom Oyster Aquaculture Training Program from March 10th, 2025, through March 21st, 2025, with a formal informational session scheduled for the evening of April 1st, 2025.
This program is specifically designed to provide aspiring commercial oyster farmers in Mississippi with a strong comprehensive foundation in off-bottom oyster aquaculture. The 30-hour, no-cost course will equip participants with essential knowledge necessary to start their own oyster farming operations. The course will cover the following topics:
- Oyster biology
- Hatchery basics
- Nursery options
- Seed handling
- Farm site selection
- An overview of off-bottom culture gear
- Methods to control fouling
- Splitting and grading
- Business planning
- Risk management
- Public health considerations
- Marketing
Participants will receive approximately 10,000 oyster seeds to gain hands-on experience with oyster culture and the opportunity to use one “run” of oyster farming gear within the Deer Island Oyster Aquaculture Park through May 31st, 2026. All participants will be required to document any oyster production in the training program, follow best management practices at the training site, and return any loaned gear in clean, working order to the MDMR.
The course will be held at the Bolton Building (and other locations) at 1141 Bayview Ave, Biloxi, MS 39530, on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to approximately noon. Classes are currently scheduled for May 3rd, May 24th, June 14th, July 12th, and August 2nd, with the final class set for the spring of 2026. Trainee attendance is mandatory at all classes.
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PHASE ONE |
Includes classroom and field education on aquaculture, business operations and demonstrations
of off-bottom aquaculture techniques. During the first phase, participants attend training meetings, workshops, receive assistance with development of a business plan, deploy grow-out systems at training site(s) and stock those systems with seed.
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PHASE TWO |
Incorporate hands-on training by allowing participants to select an oyster-growing technique from the range of permitted methods using information gained from phase one. Participants will maintain their assigned gear and oyster seed, including all aspects of fouling control, grading, splitting and site maintenance following best management practices. Instructors and participants will periodically evaluate oyster survival, growth and quality, as well as comparing individual success among program participants to facilitate collaborative learning. |
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If all requirements are completed the participants will be eligible to sublease two acres from the MDMR to begin their own off-bottom oyster aquaculture business. |
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The Off-Bottom Oyster Aquaculture Training Program has 12 openings. If interest exceeds capacity, participants may be asked to partner with other participants. Priority selection will be given to participants in the Mississippi commercial seafood industry, particularly those holding commercial seafood licenses (harvesters, processors, etc.) for at least three of the last five years.
Interested participants must meet and/or complete the following items to enroll:
- Applications will be available from March 10th – March 21st, 2025
- Complete and submit the application by 11:59 p.m. March 21st, 2025
- Be a full-time Mississippi resident living in Hancock, Harrison, or Jackson counties with the ability to attend training
- Be at least 18 years old as of June 1st, 2025
- Have a valid boat registration in the applicant’s name
- Possess a valid Mississippi driver’s license
- Must be present at the “Required Informational Session” on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 at 6 p.m.
For more information about enrolling and eligibility requirements, please contact a MDMR Shellfish Bureau staff at oyster@dmr.ms.gov or 228-374-5000.
