The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will close oyster harvest in a portion of the public oyster seed grounds east of the Mississippi River, in St. Bernard Parish, at one half-hour after sunset on Sunday, November 13, 2022.

The portions of the public oyster seed grounds to be closed are as follows:

The cultch plants within the following coordinates: 

 

3-Mile Pass (2013) – St. Bernard Parish

30 degrees 03 minutes 56.09 seconds N

89 degrees 22 minutes 32.52 seconds W

30 degrees 03 minutes 56.70 seconds N

89 degrees 22 minutes 15.40 seconds W

30 degrees 03 minutes 18.00 seconds N

89 degrees 22 minutes 06.30 seconds W

30 degrees 03 minutes 30.49 seconds N

89 degrees 22 minutes 38.17 seconds W

 

Shell Point (2009) – St. Bernard Parish:

30 degrees 1 minutes 15.89 seconds N

89 degrees 21 minutes 19.51 seconds W

30 degrees 1 minutes 11.42 seconds N 

89 degrees 21 minutes 12.30 seconds W

30 degrees 1 minutes 29.77 seconds N 

89 degrees 20 minutes 52.48 seconds W

30 degrees 1 minutes 34.63 seconds N 

89 degrees 20 minutes 58.81 seconds W

 

The recommended threshold in this portion of the public seed grounds east of the Mississippi River has been met. The closure is necessary to protect undersized oysters, allowing growth for future harvest opportunities. Continued harvest might threaten the long-term sustainability of remaining oyster resources in this area. Protection of the remaining oyster resources is in the long-term best interest of the oyster populations in this public oyster seed ground.

To view a map of the current oyster closure areas see above or visit http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/oyster-season.

The Commission authorized Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Secretary Jack Montoucet to take emergency action to close areas, on an as-needed basis, based on biological 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 resource 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 the Louisiana Department of Health orders such closure for public health concerns.

For more information, contact Carolina Bourque at (337)735-8726 or cbourque@wlf.la.gov.