Oyster

Louisiana Oyster Fishery

Oyster harvesters take note of mandatory oyster harvester training: before applying for an Oyster Harvester License, all oyster harvesters must complete online oyster harvester training. Oyster harvesters must take this training every three years. 

Louisiana Fisheries Forward has put together a wide variety of topics from multiple government and industry organizations, to help oyster fishermen understand licensing and reporting requirements, harvest regulations, time and temperature rules, and best handling methods to produce a safe, select oyster product.

Your input is needed to successfully manage the oyster fishery. Join the Oyster Task Force, or attend their open meetings; sign up for alerts from Wildlife and Fisheries, Sea Grant and other agencies; and attend LFF workshops and dock days for the best information on quality handling, safety, new equipment, and more.

As we continue to add information, visit the resource links below for more information on how to be a successful oyster fisherman.

oyster boat in Gulf
oysters spilling out of a sack

Oysters are filter feeders, and have the ability to accumulate concentrations of bacteria; this creates a slight risk to certain consumers when eaten raw.  That’s why Louisiana follows strict, national guidelines that regulate both the time to refrigeration and storage temperature of oysters, depending on the harvest tag used.  Visit the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website for complete details on time/temperature requirements.

Latest Oyster News

oyster shells

LDWF to Reopen the Oyster Season in Sister Lake

February 7, 2024

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will reopen the oyster season in designated portions of the Public Oyster Seed Reservation in Sister Lake to allow harvest for sacking only (larger than 3 inches). Harvest monitoring by LDWF through its daily reporting requirement has indicated oyster resource is still…

Read More

sacks of oysters with shucking tool and gloves on top

Reminder Upcoming Oyster Season Openings for the 2023-2024 Public Oyster Season

November 8, 2023

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) would like to remind oyster harvesters that the following areas will open for sacking only (larger than 3 inches) on Monday, November 13, 2023: Bay Gardene Public Oyster Seed Reservation, Vermilion/East, West Cote Blanche Bay/Atchafalaya Bay Public Oyster Seed Grounds, including all areas…

Read More