The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced that all oyster harvest shall close at one half hour after sunset on Sunday, November 20, 2016 on the Hackberry Bay Public Oyster Seed Reservation (POSR) in Jefferson and Lafourche Parishes. Recent harvest pressure has depleted the limited supply of oyster resources in this public oyster area. Protection of the remaining oyster resources is in the long-term best interest of the oyster populations in this area.
The Commission authorized Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Secretary Charles J. Melancon 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.
To view current oyster season maps visit: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/commerical-oyster-seasons
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.