SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas — Oyster aquaculture produces 96 percent of oysters consumed by humans worldwide. However, Texas remains the only U.S. coastal state that has no regulatory policy for commercial oyster aquaculture. Using oyster aquaculture could mean increased oyster production and environmental benefits, but issues such as interference with boating traffic have caused public concern.

Potential solutions to oyster aquaculture concerns will be addressed in an upcoming talk featuring Dr. John Scarpa, associate professor at Texas A&M University — Corpus Christi and Texas Sea Grantfunded researcher. 

The talk, sponsored by the Port Isabel / South Padre Island Shell Club, will be held on March 30 at 10 a.m. at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Coastal Studies Laboratory and will be followed by a public discussion. The event will also be broadcast live online at https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/160677994. 

Scarpa has been involved in aquaculture research, teaching and training for over three decades. He assisted the $15-million hard clam culture industry in Florida during his 20 years at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. He is currently president-elect of the National Shellfisheries Association and is leading efforts to establish oyster aquaculture in Texas.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Coastal Studies Laboratory is located at 100 Marine Lab Drive in Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island.

For more information, contact Tony Reisinger, Texas Sea Grant’s Cameron County Coastal and Marine Resources Agent, at tony.Reisinger@ag.tamu.edu or 956-361-8236.