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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How To Fill Out 900 Series Trip Ticket
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 Extends public comment period on draft ‘Louisiana 2019 Flood Disaster Spend Plan’ to August 15
July 26, 2021The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is seeking public comment from all stakeholders regarding its draft “Louisiana 2019 Flood Disaster Grant Application and Spend Plan.” In 2019, extensive freshwater flooding caused significant impacts to coastal resources including oysters, shrimp, blue crab, and finfish. The economic impact to the…
LDWF Seeks Public Input on Draft Louisiana 2019 Flood Disaster Spend Plan
June 20, 2021The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is seeking public comment from all stakeholders regarding its draft “Louisiana 2019 Flood Disaster Grant Application and Spend Plan.” In 2019, extensive freshwater flooding caused significant impacts to coastal resources including oysters, shrimp, blue crab, and finfish. The economic impact to the…
New Grant Program to Enhance and Expand Alternative Oyster Culture
May 13, 2021Louisiana Sea Grant (LSG) has received a $3 million grant from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) to expand alternative oyster culture (AOC) throughout the coast. AOC – also known as alternative oyster culture – is when oysters are grown…
