The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will close the harvest of seed oysters for bedding purposes in all public oyster seed grounds east of the Mississippi River and north of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, including Lake Borgne, one half-hour after sunset on Monday, November 30. The area will remain open for the harvest of oysters 3 inches in length or greater for market purposes.
 
These public oyster seed grounds hold a limited oyster supply, and harvest pressure during the season opening on October 19 has depleted the resource and removed excess amounts of non-living reef material. Protection of the remaining oyster reef resources is in the long-term interest of oyster conservation in this area.
 
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission authorized LDWF Secretary Robert Barham to take emergency action to close areas on an as-needed basis based on ecological data or if enforcement problems are encountered. The Secretary was also authorized to take emergency action to reopen areas previously closed if the threat to the resources has ended and to open areas if substantial oyster resources are located.
 
Public notice of any opening, delay or closure of a season will be provided at least 72 hours prior to such action unless such closure is ordered by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals for public health concerns.