This project, funded by the funded by the Saltonstall-Kennedy Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, uses shell budget modeling to determine sustainable harvests of oysters. It is a Gulf-wide collaboration between academic scientists, state resource managers and industry leaders. Principle investigators are Tom Soniat of the University of New Orleans and Eric Powell of the University of Southern Mississippi. State Agency partners are: Christine Jensen, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Carolina Bourque, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; Charles Robertson, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources; Jason Herrmann, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Melanie Parker, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Oyster Industry partners are:
Clifford
Hillman, Hillman Shrimp and Oyster Company, Texas; John Tesvich, AmeriPure Oysters, Louisiana; Jennifer Jenkins, Crystal Seas Oysters, Mississippi; Chris Nelson,
Bon Secour Fisheries, Alabama; Tommy Ward, Thirteen Mile Seafood, Florida
Click here for a shell budget demonstration model.