Oyster Season Closes on December 31

December 17, 2024 - Montgomery - Pursuant to Section 9-12-28, Code of Alabama 1975 as stated by Rule 220-3-.02, the Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announces that all public water bottoms will close to the harvest of oysters at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.

Summary of Alabama's Oyster Harvest

Alabama's public oyster reefs opened for harvest on October 7, 2024, and will close for the season at the end of the harvest day on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. The cooperation between MRD, the Alabama Department of Public Health, commercial oyster catchers, seafood dealers, and other partners continues to move the oyster resources in Alabama in a positive direction.

At the end of the 2024 season, the public oyster reefs will have been open to harvest for 58 days. During that time, approximately 25,000 sacks of oysters will have been harvested totaling almost 2.1 million pounds with an approximate dockside value of more than $1.5 million.

"Each oyster season is different and has many factors to consider when it comes to the sustainable management of Alabama's oyster population," said Scott Bannon, MRD Director. "Last year there was significant mortality on the reefs due to oyster drills, a predatory snail that thrives when salinity levels are higher. Unfortunately, Alabama did not experience enough large rainfall events in the north part of the state to impact salinity levels along the coast and push out the oyster drills. This year, due to lower dockside prices, the harvest limit was increased from six sacks to eight sacks per harvester to allow them to increase their daily earnings. The harvest averaged 448 sacks per day this year, which is approximately 38,000 pounds of oysters per day. We are thankful that our local catchers were able to earn more money this year and provide Alabama's highly sought after oysters to the state, regional and national markets."

MRD continues to utilize several new survey techniques to assist with developing season harvest estimates and work toward restoring and maintaining Alabama's oyster reefs so that oysters can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Recently, the ADCNR received approximately $10 million in funding for oyster restoration from the Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA) Trustee Implementation Group from funds allocated from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Settlement. Commissioner Chris Blankenship serves as the lead NRDA trustee for Alabama. The restoration work utilizing those funds will begin in 2025 and will be led by the MRD.

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. Learn more at http://www.outdooralabama.com.