Commercial oyster farming has many challenges even during the best of times. To increase the opportunity for success and recovery during extraordinary events the Oyster Farming Resilience Index (OFRI) was developed recently by a team at the Mississippi Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC). The OFRI is a self-assessment tool developed for oyster farmers to serve as a simple and inexpensive method of predicting if individual businesses are prepared to maintain operations during and after disasters. In recent years, the industry has experienced everything from hurricanes, significant environmental events to COVID which closed restaurants for an extended period of time.
The OFRI is designed to be completed by farmers. However, Sea Grant staff are willing to meet individual farmers to assist in completing the OFRI and all conversations are confidential. When
the OFRI is used, each farm should consider the farm’s level of preparedness for both large- and
small-scale events. Being able to withstand and adapt to events before they happen has become a focal point for businesses and industries. Recognizing the vital role that planning, reparation and collaboration play in developing and executing strategies is essential in building a resilient business.
This brief presentation will cover the major sections of the tool and provide contact information for those that would like to learn more or have questions about any of the indices.