Georgia Oyster Farmers May See Expanded Summer Harvest

New research could allow oyster farmers to harvest during the summer months.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:18am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a selection of freshly harvested Georgia oysters arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background, using dramatic lighting and shadows to represent the abstract concepts of coastal industry and economic opportunity.New research could allow Georgia's oyster farmers to expand their summer harvesting window, boosting the state's coastal economy.Tybee Island Today

Tybee Oyster Company, founded in 2022 by Laura and Perry Solomon, has traditionally spent the summer months maintaining their oyster cages off the coast of Tybee Island, Georgia. However, new research could allow oyster farmers in the state to expand their summer harvest window.

Why it matters

Oyster farming is an important industry in coastal Georgia, but the summer months have traditionally been a time for maintenance rather than harvesting due to concerns about oyster quality. If new research allows for expanded summer harvests, it could provide a significant boost to Georgia's oyster farmers.

The details

Last summer, the Solomons collected samples of their oysters at different time intervals after harvesting, from right out of the water to 4.5 hours later. This research could help determine if oysters harvested during the summer months can maintain the same quality as those harvested in other seasons, potentially opening up a new window for Georgia's oyster farmers to expand their operations.

  • In 2022, Tybee Oyster Company opened and spent the summer maintaining their oyster cages.
  • Last summer, the Solomons collected oyster samples at different time intervals after harvesting.

The players

Laura Solomon

Co-owner of Tybee Oyster Company.

Perry Soloman

Co-owner of Tybee Oyster Company.

Tybee Oyster Company

An oyster farming operation founded in 2022 and located off the coast of Tybee Island, Georgia.

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What they’re saying

“Last summer, we collected more samples at different time intervals from right out of the water to four and a half hours after harvest,”

— Laura Solomon, Co-owner, Tybee Oyster Company

What’s next

Researchers will analyze the data from the Solomons' sample collection to determine if oysters harvested during the summer months can maintain the same quality as those harvested in other seasons, which could open up a new window for Georgia's oyster farmers to expand their operations.

The takeaway

This research could be a game-changer for Georgia's oyster farming industry, potentially allowing farmers to harvest during the traditionally off-limits summer months and boost their overall production and revenue.