The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced that seed oyster harvest for bedding purposes shall close at one half hour after sunset on Sunday, November 20, 2016 on public oyster seed grounds east of the Mississippi River in St. Bernard Parish. Recent harvest pressure has depleted the limited supply of oyster resources in these public oyster areas. Protection of the remaining oyster resources is in the long-term best interest of the oyster populations in these areas.
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 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.