BILOXI, Miss. — Mississippi’s plan to lease 80% of its historically public oyster reefs to private leaseholders has sparked debate between fishermen and policymakers. The state argues the move will accelerate oyster reef restoration and ease the financial burden on public resources, but fishermen warn it could erode public access to natural resources and disproportionately favor wealthier investors.

On Dec. 17, 2024, fishermen from across the Mississippi coast gathered at the Mississippi Advisory Commission on Marine Resources (MACMR) meeting to share their differing perspectives.

State’s perspective

Rick Burris, chief scientific officer at the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR), said the 2019 Bonnet Carré Spillway opening, which caused extensive reef damage, prompted the leasing plan.

“We feel like, with the private interest of those groups, they’ll be able to restore those areas quicker than we could,” Burris said. “We lost thousands of acres of oysters. It’s a very costly endeavor to rebuild those all those back at once, by the state.”

MDMR explained the updated regulations aim to foster a sustainable shellfish industry. They emphasized that partnerships between private groups and the state would distribute restoration efforts, easing the burden on public resources.

Burris confirms private leaseholders will be required to manage designated areas responsibly, ensuring the long-term viability of their investments. This approach mirrors successful models in other states, such as Louisiana, where private leasing has boosted productivity and sustainability in the oyster industry.

According to the 15-year lease program for unused water bottoms along the coast, leaseholders must “ensure the maximum cultivation and propagation of oysters” and submit annual reports detailing their restoration efforts. Failure to meet these requirements could result in lease termination.

State officials argue private leasing will boost the oyster industry by creating jobs, generating revenue, and supporting related businesses like hatcheries, processing facilities and seafood markets.

Critics, however, contend that Mississippi’s unique needs make the Louisiana model inapplicable and that private leasing could harm public access and local livelihoods.

Fishermen’s concerns

Many fishermen argue the leasing plan undermines their livelihoods and threatens the tradition of public access to oyster reefs.

“You’re giving 100% to the leaseholder, so the fishermen have no voice in it anymore. None,” said John Livings, a commercial fisherman from Pass Christian.

Livings explained that fishermen working on leased land must gain leaseholder permission, often at a cost.

“We still own the boats, the gear, the… all the expense you still have. You just make half the money,” Livings said.

Fishermen fear the leasing plan could give investors control over public waters, effectively turning them into landlords.

“So essentially, they could say, ‘No one in Mississippi is working our leases,’ and just work it by themselves,” Livings said.

Historically, Mississippi’s public oyster reefs provided livelihoods for generations of local fishermen.

“Our kids that are growing up, they no longer have the opportunity to go out there and publicly learn and do,” Livings said.

Livings also criticized the criteria for obtaining a lease, which he argued excludes working fishermen.

“So really and truly, the way it was set up, a regular fisherman could never even be eligible to get the privately owned reef anyways,” Livings said.

He further pointed out that millions of taxpayer dollars have gone toward reef restoration, and now the state plans to lease 80% of those reefs to private groups.

“I don’t understand how they’re giving millions of dollars’ worth of oysters on something that all of the taxpayers paid for,” Livings said.

Lack of transparency and inclusion

Fishermen claim the leasing process lacked adequate transparency and outreach.  

“My address is on every one of those licenses I bought. You would think a letter could come to my house to talk about on-bottom leasing,” Livings said. “They didn’t make it knowledgeable to us, or we would have been fighting before this.” 

The MACMR finalized its regulations for on-bottom leasing in a May 21, 2024 meeting, posted the changes online, and gave public notice in Biloxi Sun Herald on May 26, 2024. 

 No public objections were recorded during MACMR’s June 18, 2024, public comment period, and the changes were finalized and sent to the Secretary of State for approval. The final round of on-bottom lease applications was officially announced on Sept. 20, 2024. 

Despite the public comment period, fishermen say the affected communities were not properly informed. Even the Oyster Task Force, an advisory council to the MDMR, was reportedly unaware of the plan’s approval. 

“They said that they let everybody know adequately about this whole process when the task force didn’t even know,” Livings said. “I’m the chairman, my brother’s the vice chairman, and we were never notified.”  

Ryan Bradley, executive director of Mississippi Commercial Fisheries United, echoed these concerns. 

“We’ve got an Oyster Task Force. Do they have a chance to come in on this proposal? Did we convene that Oyster Task Force to let them vet out some of these issues? I don’t recall that we did,” he asked the board.

MDMR Executive Director Joe Spraggins acknowledged communication gaps and assured fishermen the agency would enhance its outreach efforts in the future. However, when asked about specific steps, the agency declined to comment. 

Future implications

The leasing application period closed on Dec. 2, 2024, with 80% of the state’s permitted oyster restoration area now available for lease. State officials maintain that private involvement is crucial for restoring a “thriving oyster industry.”

Fishermen, however, remain skeptical.

“It’s just going to make the millionaires richer,” Livings said. “It’s pretty much taking everything away … you’re either going to be working for them or you’re just not going to do it.”