Don’t you just love oysters? Baked, grilled, steamed or raw, you can’t beat the flavor of a dozen fresh Gulf oysters.

It’s crucial for the industry that we keep our local waters clean. You help in that effort when you pick up your trash and use environmentally-friendly boating practices. The warm, brackish waters of Mobile Bay, Navy Cove, Portersville Bay and other places make a perfect growing spot for oyster farms. When cultivated well, our waters produce plump and briny delicacies.

There are 13 commercial oyster farms in operation in Alabama, with about 25 acres in production. Murder Point in Mobile County, one of the biggest oyster farms in the state, is expected to produce 1 million oysters for harvest this fall.

It takes from 18 months to 2 years for an oyster to mature, and tight environmental regulations are important to protect the shellfish growing waters. Heavy rain and storm runoff affect the waters, which are tested by the Alabama Department of Public Health to ensure safety. Even rivers upstate can affect the quality of coastal waterways.

The Oyster Cook-off and Craft Beer Weekend coming up Nov. 3-4 at The Hangout in Gulf Shores is a great chance to try out some of those Alabama oysters prepared in a variety of ways.

And while you’re enjoying those tasty shellfish, keep in mind the importance of protecting the waterways that produce them.