About Us

Fourteen years have passed since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill released 134 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Following the spill, tensions ran high in coastal communities, and misinformation was common due to the unknowns surrounding the event and lack of vetted scientific information. The seafood industry was slow to recover. With the spill still on their mind years later, producers continue to demand immediate and accurate answers when other—even less severe—incidents threaten their livelihood.

That’s where scientists like Missy Partyka come in. Joining the Alabama Cooperative Extension System in 2018, Missy began her work studying the impacts that oil spills have on coastal communities. Over the years, her role has evolved into working directly with those in the seafood industry. As an Extension specialist in fisheries, aquaculture, and aquatic sciences, Missy is a powerful liaison between government authorities and stakeholders in the seafood industry. She has worked hard to earn the trust of Gulf Coast seafood producers seeking information affecting their operations.

In 2022, a dredging vessel struck a local wastewater discharge pipe on Alabama’s coast, leading to the closure of several area oyster farms for an extended time. Through her role, Missy was well-positioned to gather critical information from regulators handling the incident and relay it back to farmers needing answers. Once again, tensions were high.

“I was fortunate enough to have strong working relationships with the regulators and was invited into critical discussions. Because of the trust I’d developed on both sides, I was able to not only bring up stakeholder concerns to the people responsible for solutions but also keep the oyster farmers in the loop on a daily basis. That tough month or two helped cement my relationship with my stakeholders as someone they can depend on in tough times.” — Missy Partyka

Missy’s work with seafood producers is just one of the many ways to discover oyster love. Whether it is reef restorations or growing oysters, an Alabama Extension educator in your area is working to find practical solutions, provide opportunities, and empower people. Discover more at www.aces.edu/discover.