This post has been a bit delayed from my end. Something you may have missed from your southern holiday dinner table this past 2019 season was oyster dressing. Mmm, oyster dressing, why yes please!
The devastation of the recent U.S. flooding is said to be more destructive to our Gulf oyster beds than hurricane Katrina, Ivan, and even the historic oil spill. Reason being, the Mississippi River running through 10 states massively flooded the Gulf with freshwater. The fresh water killed oyster beds and “crippling other seafood harvests that depend on saltwater to survive“.
Not only is the low supply of oysters to our table increasing consumer cost, it more importantly is putting more oyster farmers out of work. The floods have affected Louisiana and Mississippi restaurants and sending these oyster lovers to Texas to satisfy their half shell needs at 60 cents a Texas Gulf oyster.
“The floodwaters affected more than just Mississippi fisheries. Hundreds of dead dolphins and sea turtles were found, and toxic algal blooms closed Mississippi beaches for much of the summer.”
I encourage you for the health of our Gulf, seas, and beaches to continue contributing to the revitalization by the consumption of our dear oysters and seafood. You may make direct contributions to the following:
Galveston Bay Foundation
https://galvbay.org/ways-to-give/by-donating-or-joining/
Quoted source and you may read more details on the New Orleans Spillway and facts of use here:
https://www.npr.org/2019/11/28/783272904/fisheries-and-fishermen-hard-hit-by-decline-of-oysters-on-gulf-coast