Closed Areas
LDHH may close oyster areas for public health reasons. Call
800.256.2775
for more information. If LDWF finds a vessel harvesting oysters within an
unapproved or closed area, LDWF will deem all oysters on board the vessel to
have been taken from that area, seize the oysters, and return them to the water.
LDWF may also revoke the oyster harvester’s license(s).
Seasons and Times
Public areas: Generally open from the first Wednesday after Labor Day in
September for seed oysters and the second Monday in October for market oysters
through April 30 of the following year. The Commission may open and close
the season when biological data indicate a need. Go to
www.wlf.louisiana.gov/
fishing/commercial-oyster for the latest information.
State-issued leases and privately-owned water bottoms: A lessee or his agent
may fish oysters on the lease at any time unless it is closed by LDHH.
All areas: No harvest from 1/2-hour after sunset to 1/2-hour before sunrise.
Gear Restrictions
Public areas: You may harvest oysters with scrapers and tongs. Scrapers may be
no wider than 54 inches measured along the tooth bar and weigh no more than
175 pounds. Scraper teeth may be no longer than 5 inches and must be spaced at
least 2-1/4 inches, measured from the center of a tooth to center of the adjacent
tooth. A tooth may be no larger than 11/16 inches in diameter. The scraper bag
must be single mesh with a minimum mesh size of 3 inches stretched. Vessels
may not use more than two scrapers at one time. Vessels may not use any scraper
attachment intended to increase downward pressure.
State-issued leases and privately-owned water bottoms: A lessee or his agent
may use any gear as long as it does not impair or destroy the water bottom.
Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes: You may harvest oysters with hand tongs only.
Scrapers are prohibited. Commercial vessels must be self-propelled (traveling
under their own power).
Size and Possession Limits
Public areas: Oysters harvested for market must measure 3 inches or larger from
hinge to mouth. Immediately return any undersized oysters and any shell and/or
cultch back to the reefs from which they were taken. Sacks of market oysters from
public oyster areas may contain no more than 15% undersized oysters and shell
and/or cultch. Size limit does not apply if a fisherman is lawfully removing seed
oysters from public grounds.
State-issued leases and privately-owned water bottoms: No size limit.
Calcasieu Lake: You may harvest no more than the sack limit set by the
Commission.
Unlawful Removal of Oysters or Signs
You may not take, carry away, or attempt to take or carry away any oysters, shell,
or cultch from a leased area without the lessee’s permission. You may not remove
or alter any stake, monument, bounds, buoy, sign, or other designation of bedding
or propagating grounds placed by LDWF or in accordance with regulations.
Cleanliness of Shellfish Vessels
You must wash decks, holds, or binds used for storing shellfish daily. Unless
exempted in writing by LDHH, you must have a suspended awning (tarp) on your
vessel to protect shellfish from direct exposure to sun, birds, and other conditions.
It must be between 1 and 7 feet high and extend to the outer edges of the vessel.
If you:
You must have a/an:
Fees and notes:
Are a restaurant or grocer selling raw oysters
Retail Seafood Dealer License
$105 resident, $405 nonresident
Buy oysters in Louisiana from commercial fishermen for sale
or resale
LDHH Shellstock Dealer or ShuckerPacker Permit (plus a Wholesale/Retail
Seafood Dealer License)
LDHH permit fees range from $100 to $500, depending
on gross annual sales. Contact an LDHH office or
inspector to obtain a permit:
•
Baton Rouge Area: Gordon LeBlanc: 225.342.7539
•
New Orleans Area: Gary Lopinto: 504.427.5153
•
Lafayette Area: Donna Porrier: 337.207.4043
Oyster dealers must have and implement a written
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.
Shuck oysters to sell to another dealer for resale
LDHH Shucker-Packer Permit
Buy oysters from harvesters and reship them
LDHH Shellstock Shipper or Reshipper
Permit
Buy oysters only from wholesale/retail dealers
LDHH Distribution and Reshipping Permit
Are a seafood retailer shucking oysters for sale to the public
LDHH Retail Permit
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LDHH may close oyster areas for public health reasons. Call
800.256.2775
for more information. If LDWF finds a vessel harvesting oysters within an
unapproved or closed area, LDWF will deem all oysters on board the vessel to
have been taken from that area, seize the oysters, and return them to the water.
LDWF may also revoke the oyster harvester’s license(s).
Seasons and Times
Public areas: Generally open from the first Wednesday after Labor Day in
September for seed oysters and the second Monday in October for market oysters
through April 30 of the following year. The Commission may open and close
the season when biological data indicate a need. Go to
www.wlf.louisiana.gov/
fishing/commercial-oyster for the latest information.
State-issued leases and privately-owned water bottoms: A lessee or his agent
may fish oysters on the lease at any time unless it is closed by LDHH.
All areas: No harvest from 1/2-hour after sunset to 1/2-hour before sunrise.
Gear Restrictions
Public areas: You may harvest oysters with scrapers and tongs. Scrapers may be
no wider than 54 inches measured along the tooth bar and weigh no more than
175 pounds. Scraper teeth may be no longer than 5 inches and must be spaced at
least 2-1/4 inches, measured from the center of a tooth to center of the adjacent
tooth. A tooth may be no larger than 11/16 inches in diameter. The scraper bag
must be single mesh with a minimum mesh size of 3 inches stretched. Vessels
may not use more than two scrapers at one time. Vessels may not use any scraper
attachment intended to increase downward pressure.
State-issued leases and privately-owned water bottoms: A lessee or his agent
may use any gear as long as it does not impair or destroy the water bottom.
Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes: You may harvest oysters with hand tongs only.
Scrapers are prohibited. Commercial vessels must be self-propelled (traveling
under their own power).
Size and Possession Limits
Public areas: Oysters harvested for market must measure 3 inches or larger from
hinge to mouth. Immediately return any undersized oysters and any shell and/or
cultch back to the reefs from which they were taken. Sacks of market oysters from
public oyster areas may contain no more than 15% undersized oysters and shell
and/or cultch. Size limit does not apply if a fisherman is lawfully removing seed
oysters from public grounds.
State-issued leases and privately-owned water bottoms: No size limit.
Calcasieu Lake: You may harvest no more than the sack limit set by the
Commission.
Unlawful Removal of Oysters or Signs
You may not take, carry away, or attempt to take or carry away any oysters, shell,
or cultch from a leased area without the lessee’s permission. You may not remove
or alter any stake, monument, bounds, buoy, sign, or other designation of bedding
or propagating grounds placed by LDWF or in accordance with regulations.
Cleanliness of Shellfish Vessels
You must wash decks, holds, or binds used for storing shellfish daily. Unless
exempted in writing by LDHH, you must have a suspended awning (tarp) on your
vessel to protect shellfish from direct exposure to sun, birds, and other conditions.
It must be between 1 and 7 feet high and extend to the outer edges of the vessel.
If you:
You must have a/an:
Fees and notes:
Are a restaurant or grocer selling raw oysters
Retail Seafood Dealer License
$105 resident, $405 nonresident
Buy oysters in Louisiana from commercial fishermen for sale
or resale
LDHH Shellstock Dealer or ShuckerPacker Permit (plus a Wholesale/Retail
Seafood Dealer License)
LDHH permit fees range from $100 to $500, depending
on gross annual sales. Contact an LDHH office or
inspector to obtain a permit:
•
Baton Rouge Area: Gordon LeBlanc: 225.342.7539
•
New Orleans Area: Gary Lopinto: 504.427.5153
•
Lafayette Area: Donna Porrier: 337.207.4043
Oyster dealers must have and implement a written
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.
Shuck oysters to sell to another dealer for resale
LDHH Shucker-Packer Permit
Buy oysters from harvesters and reship them
LDHH Shellstock Shipper or Reshipper
Permit
Buy oysters only from wholesale/retail dealers
LDHH Distribution and Reshipping Permit
Are a seafood retailer shucking oysters for sale to the public
LDHH Retail Permit
19
86