Some of you have heard about the “Waffle House” oyster mortality survey that Bill Walton with Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences started in 2025 to get a better handle on sudden unusual mortalities, or SUMS. A weekly gauge of the level of concern of commercial oyster farmers across the nation was taken in a quick (often under 10 seconds!) self-assessed green or yellow or red level of concern. Results from 2025 can be found here.
The survey is open again this year to commercial oyster farmers and is in its fourth week. To report any region or state, at least 3 responses are needed to help preserve confidentiality. The combined results are shared publicly within the confines of human subject survey restrictions that are in place. Here’s a 3-minute video from the 2025 Oyster South Symposium for a quick explanation.
Oyster growers can sign up here.
The current participation by state as March 5, 2026, from the Southeastern and Gulf coasts is 29 growers. The Atlantic coast and Gulf coast of Florida are broken apart as they feed into different coastal regions.
| State | Count |
| Atlantic Florida | 2 |
| Alabama | 4 |
| Georgia | 1 |
| Gulf Florida | 6 |
| Louisiana | 3 |
| Mississippi | 1 |
| North Carolina | 5 |
| South Carolina | 1 |
| Texas | 2 |
| Virginia | 4 |
