The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries would like to remind commercial oyster harvesters of the rules enacted in 2014 regarding the commercial harvest of oysters intended for raw consumption.

These rules are in effect daily and help ensure the safety of oysters intended for raw consumption and simplify harvesting practices to support Louisiana’s fisheries. The rules are specific to oyster harvesting methods.  The 2014 rules require:

1.     Harvesters fishing for white tag oysters, those oysters intended to be eaten raw, must attach a tag or label on all containers holding shell-stock, with the corresponding lot identification number or character printed legibly on the tag or label, prior to being placed under refrigeration.  This tag or label shall be approved by the state health officer at the Department of Health and Hospitals and the Secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

2.     Additionally, if oysters are being harvested for multiple tags, the fisher or harvester must treat all oysters as they do the most restrictive kind of product on their vessel. For example, if they are harvesting white and green tag oysters, they must treat all oysters like white-tag oysters.

A copy of the most current rules and regulations pertaining to the oyster industry can be found here.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive recreational or commercial fishing email and text alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.