GOMESA Application Details
- Internal Project Number
- 271360
- 1. Title of Project
- Mississippi Sound Public Oyster Reef Habitat Survey
- 2. Location of Project
- Western Mississippi Sound
- 3. Requesting Organization
- National Oceans Applications Research Center (NOARC)
- 4a. Name
- David P. Brannon
- 4b. Position
- 4c. Phone Number
- 228-860-6769
- 4d. Fax Number
- 4e. Address Line 1
- 7250 Stennis Airport Drive Suite 206
- 4e. Address Line 2
- 4e. City, State Zip
- Kiln, Mississippi
- 4f. Email
- dbrannon@noarc.org
- 5. FundingRequested
- $731,780
- Awarded Amount:
- 6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources
- No
- 7a. Amount of Additional Funds
- 7b. Source of Additional Funds
- 8. Total Project Funds Amount
- $731,780
- 9. Project Description/Overview
- Habitat Survey Area Description The oyster habitats to be surveyed are found in Western Mississippi Sound; generally south of Pass Christian, Mississippi and Bay St. Louis Mississippi. these reefs constitute the majority of harvestable, public reefs in Mississippi water. The survey area encompasses approximately 5,681 hectares (56.8 square kilometers) and includes: > Henderson Point Reef > Pass Christian Reef > Pass Marianne Reef > Telegraph Reef > St. Joe Reef
- 10. Project Goals/Objectives
- The goals of this project include: (1) Delineating the spatial extent, dimensions, and area measurements of the public oyster reefs in Western Mississippi Sound; (2) Providing high-resolution bathymetric maps of the reefs; and (3) geographically-correct mosaics of the surveyed reefs for future change detection and analysis. The survey operation will be conducted in areas averaging 9 feet in depth. The resulting baseline delineation of the public reefs will permit subsequent, replicable surveys over the reefs to determine changes over time as a result of agency management and restoration strategies.
- 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: This project specifically addresses the State's long-term goal of restoring oyster production in Mississippi Sound. The results enable informed resource management and restoration strategies focused on increased oyster production. Improving conservation and restoration of important natural benthic habitats such as oyster reefs represents the overarching purpose of the GOMESA act to conserve and restore critical coastal habitats. This comprehensive survey directly addresses strategic management decisions associated with oyster cultch placement and new private oyster reef leasing operations.
- (B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.
- (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
- 1. Complete initial reef survey (4 month duration) November 2026 2. Complete data analysis and survey results (6 month duration) February 2027 3. Complete data integration into NOARC Tidelands Atlas for future change detection reference April 2027. 4. Project complete June 2027
- 13. Project Timing
- Short-term
- 14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):
- Other 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?
- This project directly addresses MDMR stated goals of applying best practices and technologies in all phases of oyster fishery production, management, and sustainment. Providing baseline assessments of the oyster reefs to be harvested enables agile resource management decisions to be made by MDMR managers to respond to annual harvest numbers with a goal to increase harvest numbers each year.
- 16. Estimated Years To Completion
- 1
- 17. Estimated Completion Date
- 6/30/2027
- Budget:
- Salaries,Wages, Fringe
- $145,592
- Travel
- Architecture & Engineering
- Legal
- Consulting
- Construction
- Site Work
- Equipment
- Indirects
- $83,188
- Other
- $503,000
- Total
- $731,780
- Application Submission Date
- 09/29/2025
- Fiscal Year
- 2027
- Project Status
- Application Status
- Submitted
- Meets Criteria
- Internal Notes:
- Attachments:
- https://gomesa_internal/attachments/GOMESA_1360_COMPLETE.pdf
- Hyperlink:
- Attachments