The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will reopen the oyster season in designated portions of the Public Oyster Seed Grounds in the Vermilion /Atchafalaya Bay area to allow bedding of oyster resource to private leases.
BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY) -- The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will reopen the oyster season in designated portions of the Public Oyster Seed Grounds in the Vermilion /Atchafalaya Bay area to allow bedding of oyster resource to private leases.
This oyster season is based on the annual oyster stock assessment provided by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists, recommendations by the Oyster Task Force, and comments received from members of the public.
The Vermilion/East, West Cote Blanche Bay/Atchafalaya Bay Public Oyster Seed Grounds will reopen for harvest/bedding of seed oysters one half-hour before sunrise on Monday, Aug. 5, and close at one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, Aug. 31.
During this oyster season reopening, the following provisions will be in effect:
Electronic reporting will be completed through the e-Reporting application via smartphone. Fishermen should download the app from these links at the Apple Store or Google Play Store then create an account using an email address. The registration page requires name, commercial fishing license number, and type of license to register. Once the account is created, the fisherman will add their vessels. Follow this link for more information on the eReporting app and how to use it.
The Secretary of the Department was authorized by the Commission to adjust closure dates based on biological harvest data or if enforcement issues are encountered. The Secretary is also authorized to take emergency action to reopen areas previously closed if the threat to the resource has ended and to open public areas if substantial oyster resources are located.
Harvesters are encouraged to consult with LDH prior to fishing this area as some areas opened by LDWF may be closed due to water quality concerns by LDH.
Public notice of any opening, delay, or closing of a season will be provided at least 72 hours prior to such action, unless the Louisiana Department of Health orders such closure for public concerns.