I’m Jackie Wilson, the owner and operator of Bama Bay Oyster Farm. I was born and raised on Mon Louis Island, nestled along the western shores of Mobile Bay. This place is in my blood and my roots run deep here. I come from generations of Gulf Coast residents whose lives have always been connected to the bay and its once-abundant resources.
As a kid, I was endlessly curious about the natural world. That curiosity was sparked and nurtured along the bay’s shoreline, on my grandfather’s shrimp boat, and during commercial snapper trips with my dad. Those early experiences set the course for a lifelong love of marine science and Gulf seafood.
My professional journey started at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, where I spent six incredible years immersed in research, from oyster aquaculture and tropical reef ecology to studying the impacts of coastal acidification. While working toward my Marine Science degree, I also launched my first oyster farm, Maureena Jean’s, right from our family home. It was a passion project with a purpose: building resilient fisheries.
In 2021, I had the opportunity to carry forward the legacy of Bama Bay Oyster Farm. Today, it’s not just a working farm, but it’s also a place where students come to learn and people of all ages can connect with the environment. We host educational programs and outreach events, all designed to inspire stewardship and a deeper appreciation for this amazing ecosystem.
Mobile Bay is my heart. Protecting and preserving her unique, biodiverse beauty for the generations to come—that’s why I do what I do.
Bama Bay Oyster Farm is located in Coden, AL, just south of Fowl River. For more information, bamabayoysterfarm.weebly.com or call 251-459-9813.