Alabama’s shellfish aquaculture industry produces oysters (Crassostrea virginica) through off-bottom farming using adjustable long-line and floating cage systems.

Highlights for 2021

• Ten commercial oyster aquaculture operations in 2021 reported harvests in the state, per the Alabama Department of Public Health.
• The farm gate value for Alabama commercial oyster farms is estimated to be at least $2,400,000 based on personal conversations with farmers regarding wholesale prices.
• The number of farmed single-market oysters sold has more than doubled since 2020, with a total of 4,711,166 harvested.
• In 2021, Alabama had at least one commercial hatchery and two commercial nurseries.
• At least 75 acres were permitted for commercial oyster aquaculture with at least 40 acres used in production.

Russell Grice, Extension Specialist, Aquaculture Business, Auburn University Shellfish Lab, Mississippi Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, and Andrea Tarnecki, Assistant Extension Professor, Auburn University Shellfish Lab, Senior Marine Scientist I, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, both with Auburn University.

New August 2022, Alabama Shellfish Aquaculture Situation & Outlook Report: Production Year 2021, ANR-2915

Acknowledgments: This publication was prepared by the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium using federal funds under award NA18OAR4170080 from the National Sea Grant Office, NOAA, US Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions and recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Sea Grant Office, NOAA, US Department of Commerce.

This update is based on data obtained from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), the Alabama Marine Resources Division, the Auburn University Shellfish Lab, and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium.

Past Reports

• Alabama Shellfish Aquaculture Situation & Outlook Report: Production Year 2019, ANR-2674
• Alabama Shellfish Aquaculture Situation & Outlook Report 2018, ANR-2467

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