Pursuant to Section 9-12-28, Code of Alabama 1975 as stated by Rule 220-3-.02, the Alabama Marine Resources Division (MRD) will open limited areas of public oyster bottoms for harvest beginning on Monday, November 11, 2019, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Harvesters are reminded to visit the MRD Oyster Management Station (OMS) located across from Jemison’s Bait and Tackle, located at 16871 Dauphin Island Parkway, to drop off their OMS cards and identify which zones are open for harvest.
Zones C and F will open on November 11. The zones will open and close based on evaluations of the harvest by MRD staff. Zone openings will be announced by press release.
Alabama did not open any public reefs for harvest last year and has had very limited harvests in recent years.
“Our surveys of the public oyster bottoms show that there are enough legal-size oysters in some areas to allow for a limited harvest,” said Scott Bannon, MRD Director. “We’re thankful to be able to open these zones for limited harvest this year. Our commercial fishermen need the work and the market is looking forward to Alabama’s great tasting oysters.”
For information about licensing and regulations, please contact MRD at (251) 861-2882 or visit the MRD office located at 2 North Iberville Drive, on Dauphin Island.
Harvest Zone(s) Open:
- All of Zone C - including Cedar Point East, Buoy Reef and King’s Bayou south of Latitude 30°22.728N
- All of Zone F - including Cedar Point West
Date/Time Open: Monday-Friday, beginning November 11, 2019, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sack Limit: 6 sacks per person/vessel per day regardless of how many licensed harvesters aboard
Gear Restrictions: Tong Only
Management Station Location: Cedar Point Cutoff - across from Jemison’s Bait and Tackle in Coden, Alabama
Management Station Hours: Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Management Station Contact: (251) 257-9966
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.
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