LDWF State Reopened Some Louisiana Oyster Beds Today

Posted: Sep 1, 2012 2:36 PM

BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Department of Health and Hospitals reopened some of the oyster harvest areas that were closed Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, as a precautionary measure in advance of Hurricane Isaac. Oyster harvesting resumed in areas 26, 27 and 28, which are located in the coastal areas of St. Mary and Vermillion parishes, effective half an hour before sunrise on Saturday, Sept. 1.

The order to reopen these harvest areas was signed today by DHH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein, Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary J.T. Lane and State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry.

Oyster harvesting areas 1-25, which were also closed on Tuesday, Aug. 28, will remain closed until health officials determine the waters are clear and within approved area criteria established by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.

DHH public health staff continue to monitor these areas, which were closed as a precaution because flooding can cause natural contaminants to wash into oyster-growing areas.

Water standards for oyster harvesting are set by the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference. DHH has the authority to close these waters under LSA-R.S. 40:5, 3.