Pursuant to Section 9-12-28, Code of Alabama 1975 as stated by Rule 220-3-.02, the Alabama Marine Resources Division (MRD) announces that all public water bottoms will be closed to the harvest of oysters on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.
Summary of Alabama's Oyster Harvest
Alabama’s public oyster reefs opened for harvest on November 11, 2019, and will close for the season on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. The cooperation between MRD, the Alabama Department of Public Health, commercial oyster catchers, and seafood dealers led to a successful harvest this season.
Three management zones were opened to harvest for 36 days. During that time, more than 10,800 sacks of oysters were harvested totaling almost 1 million pounds.
The harvested oysters were critical to the local economy due to the lack of product available from other states. While the harvesters were on the water, they identified areas of oyster spat (juvenile oysters) and sub-legal oysters in quantities significantly higher than observed in recent years.
The largest harvest in four years and the increased numbers of young oysters leave MRD optimistic about increased harvests later this fall and in subsequent years. MRD will continue to work toward restoring Alabama’s oyster reefs so that oysters can be enjoyed for generations to come.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) 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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