Louisiana Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) Industry
AOC is when oysters are grown in floating cages or in bottom-placed cages attached to pylons. This method allows the cages to be raised and lowered to protect oysters from predators, fouling and the burial effects of disasters like hurricanes. Louisiana Sea Grant has operated an AOC demonstration farm on Grand Isle for more than a decade and began researching alternative oyster culture in the late 1980s.
As estuarine habitat and environmental conditions continue to change through natural and human influences, there is a need to offer and expand economic opportunities for oyster fishers—and AOC helps to fulfill that need. To that end, Louisiana Fisheries Forward, in conjunction with the Louisiana Seafood Future grant program, is putting together a wide variety of resources like education and business tools, equipment and public outreach, to expand and enhance AOC across the coast.
We encourage all our oystermen to get involved in the management of our fishery. Join the Oyster Task Force, or attend their open meetings; sign up for news and alerts from LDWF, LA Sea Grant and other agencies; and attend LFF and other industry workshops. Your input is needed for us all to be successful.
As we continue to add information to this web site, visit the resource links below for more on regulations, product handling, gear and equipment, and responsible farming practices.
To apply for an AOC permit, you must have a commercial oyster harvester license. And before applying for an oyster harvester license, you must complete online oyster harvester training, which will include this video (use the link, you will not get credit watching it here). Oyster harvesters must take this training every three years.
Live Demo on Remote Setting Oyster Larvae
Remote Setting Oyster Larvae Video
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There are complex environmental, economic, and political issues confronting today’s traditional oyster industry. AOC is a part of addressing those issues, but certainly not the sole or primary solution.
Louisiana’s traditional oyster production can average from 12-14 million pounds of oyster meat annually, producing anywhere from 30-40 percent of the United States’ supply. AOC cannot replace this traditional natural fishery in volume or economic impact; but it is an opportunity to help increase the potential for industry diversity.
LDWF to Reopen Oyster Season in Vermilion Bay
August 2, 2024The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) will reopen the oyster season in designated portions of the Public Oyster Seed Grounds in the Vermilion /Atchafalaya Bay area to allow bedding of oyster resource to private leases. This oyster season is based on the annual oyster stock assessment provided by Louisiana…
LDWF Announces Funding Availability for Large-Scale Alternative Oyster Culture Projects
July 12, 2024Utilizing funding provided by the Louisiana Legislature through the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is announcing funding availability for large-scale Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) projects in Louisiana. This grant program is focused on providing economic assistance to projects that have the…
LDWF Begins Online Ordering for Oyster Hatchery Larvae
April 29, 2024Today at 8:00 a.m., the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) opened its online ordering portal to provide the oyster industry with hatchery-reared oyster larvae produced at the Michael C. Voisin Oyster Hatchery. Requests will only be taken via the online ordering portal and will be filled based on…
