GOMESA Application Details
- 1. Title of Project
- Spat on Cultch Oyster Reef Restoration Project
- 2. Location of Project
- Mississippi Sound, waters of the State of Mississippi
- 3. Requesting Organization
- Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR)
- 4a. Name
- Rick Burris
- 4b. Position
- 4c. Phone Number
- 2285234139
- 4d. Fax Number
- 4e. Address Line 1
- 1141 Bayview Ave
- 4e. Address Line 2
- 4e. City, State Zip
- Biloxi, MS 39530
- 4f. Email
- rick.burris@dmr.ms.gov
- 5. FundingRequested
- $2,000,000
- Awarded Amount:
- $0
- 6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources
- No
- 7a. Amount of Additional Funds
- $0
- 7b. Source of Additional Funds
- 8. Total Project Funds Amount
- $2,000,000
- 9. Project Description/Overview
- This project would restore and enhance the state owned oyster reefs of the State of Mississippi and increase spat recruitment on the private oyster leases through placement of spat on cultch placed near existing cultch plant sites. The project will utilize a Private Remote Oyster Setting Facility to produce oyster larvae, set larvae that on cultch and deploy spat laden cultch on Mississippi’s state owned oyster reefs. This process is intended to restore these decimated oyster reefs at a faster rate than could be achieved in the wild, which will aid the oyster industry and increase ecosystem services performed by the reefs themselves. Timeliness of this project is key as the State is in the process of boosting the industry through increased access to private oyster leases that would greatly benefit from these restoration efforts.
- 10. Project Goals/Objectives
- To restore 1000 - 2,000 cubic yards of oyster reef through deployment of approximately 100 million live oysters on the state owned oyster reefs. MDMR Fisheries staff, will assess the project area and identify the most suitable site(s) for oyster restoration and creation of reefs. Primary project objectives include: 1) Determination of cultch volume and average larval set rate. 2) Oyster restoration site identification. 3) Deployment of spat on cultch. 4) Assessment of oyster growth, health, and effectiveness of spat on cultch.
- 11. Which of the following authorized uses set forth in the GOMESA Act does this project fall under?
- (A) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetlands losses
- Yes: The project will improve essential fish habitat which plays a major role in the restoration of recreationally and commercially important finfish and invertebrate species. With the deployment of spat laden cultch material, the enhanced oyster reefs would also re-establish a natural physical barrier for hurricane protection that the historical reefs once provided. Restoration of historical oyster reefs in the Mississippi Sound is also critical to the protection and stabilization of multiple shoreline types including the Harrison and Hancock County beaches.
- (B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.
- Yes: This project proposes to restore, create, and increase the area of oyster reefs in the MS Sound that has experienced manmade and natural disasters over the past 20 years utilizing spat on cultch techniques that has been shown to accelerate oyster population growth. The deployment of spat laden cultch material on the oyster reefs will provide the following benefits:1) Increase production of oysters in the Mississippi Sound 2) Provide ecosystem services by enhancing essential fish habitat for inshore species and improve local stocks of recreationally important species to ultimately improve fishing 3) Provide habitat for species critical to the success of Mississippi's coastal wetlands.
- (C) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.
- (D) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects.
- 12. Project Timetable/Milestones
- This project is estimated to take approximately 1 year for implantation. MDMR Fisheries staff, will assess the project area and identify the most suitable site(s) for oyster restoration and creation. Primary Milestones include: 1) Determination of cultch volume and average larval set rate. 2) Oyster restoration site identification. 3) Deployment of spat on cultch. 4) Assessment of oyster growth, health, and effectiveness of spat on cultch
- 13. Project Timing
- Short-term
- 14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):
- N/A Funds Not Budgeted
- 15. In what way does this project meet the goals and objectives of the Department of Marine Resources, which includes enhancing, protecting and conserving the marine interest of Mississippi for present and future generations?
- Restoration and enhancement of oyster reefs will provide coastal protection by increasing shoreline stabilization, restore oyster resources and provide increased habitat for a variety of marine species, mitigate losses of historical oyster reef habitat, and implement oyster restoration initiatives that are widely supported on the national scale. This project enhances public oyster resources, protects the public's right to have and enjoy those valuable resources, and conserves and promotes the natural resources.
- 16. Estimated Years To Completion
- 1
- 17. Estimated Completion Date
- 6/30/2026
- Budget:
- Salaries,Wages, Fringe
- $0
- Travel
- $0
- Architecture & Engineering
- $0
- Legal
- $0
- Consulting
- $0
- Construction
- $0
- Site Work
- $0
- Equipment
- $0
- Indirects
- $0
- Other
- $2,000,000
- Total
- $2,000,000
- Internal Project Number
- 1308
- Application Submission Date
- 07/01/2024
- Fiscal Year
- 2026
- Project Status
- Application Status
- Submitted
- Meets Criteria
- Internal Notes: