The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced today that the oyster season shall close on Friday, March 20, 2015 at one-half hour after sunset in that portion of the public oyster seed grounds east of the Mississippi River and north of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO).
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved a Declaration of Emergency to open this area on March 16 and also authorized Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Secretary Robert Barham to take emergency action to close areas, on an as-needed basis, based on biological data or if enforcement problems are encountered.
Protection of the remaining oyster resource is in the long-term best interest of oyster conservation in this area. This public oyster area holds a limited oyster supply and harvest pressure since the oyster season opening on March 16 has provided the industry with much-needed oyster resources. It is estimated that over 54,000 sacks of seed oysters (<3”) and nearly 3,000 sacks of market-size oysters (≥3”) were harvested on the first day of this abbreviated season.
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.