Louisiana Fisheries
Current NewsAbout UsBiological InfoManagement InfoHabitat Info
Louisiana Fisherman Professionalism ProgramAquaculture InfoLegal & Socio-Economic Issues
Fisheries & PeopleResources & PublicationsFisheries FAQsSearch
LSU AgCenter Louisiana Sea Grant Louisiana Fisheries Louisiana Fisheries

Home > Current News > 2004

News: 2004

2004-2005 Oyster Seasons Set
Posted: 8/6/04

Opening and closing dates for the 2004-05 oyster season on Louisiana’s public grounds were set at the August 5, 2004 meeting of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.

The oyster season in the Vermilion Bay Public Oyster Seed Ground as described in LAC 76:VII.507 and LAC 76:VII.509 will open one-half hour before sunrise on September 8, 2004 and close one-half hour after sunset on April 1, 2005.

The oyster season in the Bay Gardene Public Oyster Seed Reservation will open one-half hour before sunrise on September 15, 2004 and will close one-half hour after sunset on April 1, 2005.

The oyster season in the primary public seed grounds east of the Mississippi River bordered on the north by the Louisiana/Mississippi state line and on the south by the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, including that portion of Lake Borgne as described in LAC 76:VII.513, will open one-half hour before sunrise on October 1, 2004 and close one-half hour after sunset on April 30, 2005.

The oyster season in the primary public seed grounds east of the Mississippi River bordered on the north by the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet and on the south by the Mississippi River and North Pass, including the sacking-only area of the public grounds which is generally Lake Fortuna and Lake Machias to a line from Mozambique Point to Point Gardner to Grace Point at the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet will open one-half hour before sunrise on October 1, 2004 and close one-half hour after sunset on April 1, 2005.

The oyster season in the Bay Junop Public Oyster Seed Reservation will open one-half hour before sunrise on October 1, 2004 and will close one-half hour after sunset on October 10, 2004.

The oyster season in the Lake Mechant Public Oyster Seed Grounds as described in LAC 76:VII.517, with the exception of the 2004 cultch plant within the following corners: 1) latitude 29 degrees 18 minutes and 45.106 seconds north and longitude 90 degrees 56 minutes 54.820 seconds west, 2) latitude 29 degrees 18 minutes 26.090 seconds north and longitude 90 degrees 56 minutes 55.329 seconds west, 3) latitude 29 degrees 18 minutes 25.879 seconds north and longitude 90 degrees 56 minutes 45.090 west, and 4) latitude 29 degrees 18 minutes 44.895 seconds north and longitude 90 degrees 56 minutes 44.580 seconds west, will open one-half hour before sunrise on October 11, 2004 and close one-half hour after sunset on October 31, 2004.

The oyster season for the Calcasieu Lake public oyster ground will open one-half hour before sunrise on October 15, 2004 and will remain open until one-half hour after sunset on April 30, 2005.

Open seasons in all of these areas is subject to public health closures.

The following areas will remain closed for the 2004/2005 oyster season: the Hackberry Bay Public Oyster Seed Reservation, the Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservation, the Public Oyster Seed Grounds located in portions of Lake Tambour, Lake Chien, Lake Felicity, Deep Lake, and Barataria Bay (as described in LAC 76:VII.517) and the Sabine Lake Public Oyster Tonging Area.

The commission authorized LDWF to take emergency action to close areas if oyster mortalities are occurring, or to delay the season or close areas where significant spat catch has occurred with good probability of survival, or where it is found that there are excessive amounts of shell in seed oyster loads and the reef is being adversely impacted, or if enforcement problems are encountered. LDWF is also authorized to take emergency action to reopen areas previously closed if a threat to the resource has ended, and to open areas if significant oyster resources are located. 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.

For more information, contact Patrick Banks at 225-765-2370 or banks_pd@wlf.state.la.us.

Back to Main

 


Louisiana Fisheries Louisiana Sea Grant LSU AgCenter