Gulf Coast Oyster Breeding and Hatchery Initiative Strategic Planning Workshop to Establish a Regional Oyster Breeding Program

The Gulf Coast Oyster Breeding and Hatchery Initiative Strategic Planning Workshop was held February 20–21, 2025, at the University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center. Co-led by NOAA Fisheries and USM, the workshop convened over 40 stakeholders - representing federal and state agencies, academic institutions, Sea Grant, and the oyster farming industry to establish initial goals, priorities, and partnerships for a regional oyster breeding program. The goal of the workshop was to develop a shared vision for a new Gulf Oyster Breeding Center (GOBC) that will enhance the resilience, productivity, and sustainability of oyster aquaculture across the U.S. Gulf Coast.