Successful Oyster Harvest Ending

Pursuant to Section 9-12-28, Code of Alabama 1975 as stated by Rule 220-3-.02, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Marine Resources Division (MRD) announced that all public water bottoms will close to the harvest of oysters at 2 p.m. today. Alabama’s public oyster reefs opened for harvest on October 4. During the 80 days management zones were open, nearly 50,000 sacks of oysters, totaling almost 4.25 million lb., were harvested. The cooperation between MRD, the Alabama Department of Public Health, commercial oyster catchers and seafood dealers led to a successful harvest this season. Scott Bannon, MRD director, said, “We doubled the previous year’s harvest for the third year in a row, which contributed greatly to the community.” During the season, MRD utilized a grid system for identifying areas open for harvest and ensuring maximum opportunities for harvesters, while minimizing the potential for overharvesting.