Today, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved a Declaration of Emergency to open the oyster season in a portion of the public oyster seed grounds east of the Mississippi River and north of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, including Lake Borgne and Mississippi Sound, at one-half hour before sunrise on March 16, 2015 through one-half hour after sunset on March 31, 2015. This area was originally scheduled to open on October 20, 2014, but was delayed to protect a successful spatfall event in the area. During the period of this opening, and only in this portion of the public oyster seed grounds, no sack limit and no sacking-only area shall be in effect. The 2013 cultch plants located in Drum Bay and 3-Mile Pass shall remain closed.
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.