Oysters: Adapting to a changing Gulf

Part I: The role of oysters in our estuarine ecosystem and the threats facing themJune 26, 2020

Dani Bailey, Texas Sea Grant, Introduction: The role of oysters in our estuarine ecosystem and the threats facing them – view slides here.

Sara Pace, University of Southern Mississippi, Oysters 101- Overview of oyster life cycle and importance to ecosystems and humans; vulnerabilities at multiple life stages – view slides here.

Dr. Jennifer Pollack, Texas A&M University, Habitat restoration and ecosystem benefits – view slides here.

Dr. Sean Powers, University of South Alabama,  How fresh water/salinity from spillway release/management actions impact oysters – view slides here.

Question-answer session with all speakers

Part II: Increasing resilience of wild and farmed oysters before, during, and after an oil spillJuly 27, 2020

Dani Bailey, Texas Sea Grant, Introduction, Increasing resilience of wild and farmed oysters before, during, and after an oil spill – view slides here.


Jason Herrmann, Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, How natural resource managers prepare for and respond to oil spills

Dr. Bill Walton, Auburn University, Strategies to improve the resilience of wild and farmed oysters before and after an oil spill – view slides here.

Dr. Joe Fox, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, Texas oyster mariculture development- view slides here.

Question and answer panel

Part III: Oysters and oil spills September 14, 2020

Dani Bailey, seminar overview


Susan Laramore
, Associate Research Professor, Florida Atlantic University, Toxicity of crude oil and dispersants – effects on oysters


Ruth Carmichael
, Professor of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama, Influence of carbon and nitrogen from oil on Gulf oysters


Raz Halili
, Prestige Oyster Inc., Influence of oil spills on the oyster industry


Mario Marquez
, Oyster Aquaculture specialist, Texas Sea Grant, A Sea Grant system to help the building of a new oyster aquaculture process in Texas

Question and answer panel with all speakers

Featured image: In this “Sink Your Shucks” oyster recycling program in Corpus Christi, Texas, volunteers collect truckloads of discarded oyster shells from locally participating restaurants. They bundle the shells and place them back in the bays to rebuild oyster reefs and promote regeneration of oysters. (Jennifer Pollack)