The Narrative Project Description:
The Mississippi Sound Conservancy, a federally approved Mississippi nonprofit 501C3, is developing and implementing ongoing science-based programs to sustain critical habitat in the Mississippi Sound.
These programs will increase the availability of oyster reefs continuously releasing larvae that will restore the oyster reef habitat for sea turtles, an endangered species, and a host of economically important species such as blue crabs, speckle trout, red fish, drum, flounder etc. Oysters and their associated reefs provide benefits to the natural communities of the coastal environments but to humankind as well. Oyster reefs provide aquatic life with a food source, refuge from predators and acts as nurseries for various species. Because they are filter feeders, oysters improve water quality.
The benefit to water quality cannot be overstated. One oyster can filter up to 50+ gallons of water per day, removing excess algae/plankton, nitrogen, and other runoff pollutants like sediment. Each reef once established will filter an estimated 4,600,000 gallons of water per day. The establishment of no take spawning/filtering reefs are an investment in a sustainable future for oysters and the Mississippi Sound ecosystem that will pay dividends for harvesters, seafood lovers, businesses, and coastal economies for generations to come.
The Mississippi Sound Conservancy is also developing a long-overdue analysis of the submerged aquatic seagrass beds in the Sound to develop design criteria to further restoration programs of this critical habitat once abundant in the Sound.
The many public benefits include bettering the coastal water quality as well as enhancing and sustaining critical habitat that improves the coastal beach experience as well as the recreational and commercial fisheries. Our community outreach and educational programs will build stewardship of these important coastal resources.
