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Pursuant to Section 9-12-28, Code of Alabama 1975 as stated by Rule 220-3-.02, the Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) will open limited areas of public oyster bottoms for weekday harvest beginning on Monday, October 2, 2023, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Harvesters can view their locations and the open harvest areas with Alabama’s Oyster Management Station (OMS) Oyster Grid Map. A link to the map is available at www.outdooralabama.com/oysterharvest.

Harvesters are reminded to visit the Oyster Management Stations located across from Jemison’s Bait and Tackle (16871 Dauphin Island Parkway, Coden, Alabama 36523) or Delta Port Marina (5080 Green Drive, Coden, Alabama 36523) to drop off their OMS ID cards and confirm which grids are open for harvest prior to the start of their harvesting trip.

Cedar Point East grids will open on Monday, October 2. Cedar Point East grids will close based on evaluations of the harvest by MRD staff and additional areas will be opened to harvest. Information will be posted at OMS locations and on MRD social media sites.

Recreational Oyster Tags: Recreational oyster catchers must report their catch and purchase a recreational harvest tag at the OMS station. Recreational harvesters may take up to 100 legal-size (minimum 3 inches) oysters in the same areas and during the same times as commercial harvest. No license is required but commercial and recreational oysters may not be transported together on a vessel.

All commercial oyster catchers, regardless of age, must have a commercial oyster catcher’s license in order to participate in the harvest. For information about licensing and regulations, please contact MRD at (251) 861-2882 or visit the MRD office located at 2 North Iberville Drive, on Dauphin Island.

Date/Time of Grids Opening: Monday through Friday, beginning October 2, 2023, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Oyster Harvest Limits: Commercial oyster catchers may harvest six (6) sacks per person/vessel, per day regardless of how many licensed harvesters are aboard. Recreational oyster catchers may harvest 100 legal-size oysters per person, per day. Recreational harvest may only occur in areas and at times that are open for commercial harvest.

Harvest Method: Tong and Hand Only

Management Station Location: Cedar Point Cutoff across from Jemison’s Bait and Tackle and Delta Port Marina (see addresses listed above).

Management Station Hours: Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Management Station Contact: (251) 257-9966

ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.