The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced that the harvest of oysters shall close in all public oyster seed grounds east of the Mississippi River and north of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), including Lake Borgne, at one half hour after sunset on Monday, December 7, 2015. Oyster harvest south of the MRGO will remain open until further notice.
Since the season opened on October 19, 2015, excessive undersize oyster violations have occurred in this area indicating that the vast majority of the remaining oyster resources are sub-market size (less than three inches in length). The closure is necessary to protect undersized oysters, allowing growth for future harvest opportunities. Protection of the remaining oyster reef resources is in the long-term best interest of oyster conservation in this area.
The Commission authorized Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Secretary Robert J. Barham 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 such closure is ordered by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals for public health concerns.