Molluscan Shellfish Program

The Molluscan Shellfish Program is the regulatory agency for the oyster harvesting waters along Louisiana Gulf Coast. The harvesting areas are set forth by the Louisiana Sanitary Code and the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP). The NSSP is the federal/state cooperative program recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) for the sanitary control of shellfish produced and sold for human consumption. All oyster related facilities must follow Louisiana Administrative CodeTitle 51 Part IX and NSSP guidelines.

SPECIAL NOTE: 

 The hours for refrigeration has changed. Click on the below link to view the  Hours to Refrigeration. 

NEW HOURS TO REFRIGERATION

The  March April 2023 Seasonal Reclassification is posted for comments

Please send all questions and comments to chris.lemaire@la.gov or jennifer.armentor@la.gov 

Select the Seasonal Reclassification map to the right and select the frame of interest. Click on the MAY AUGUST  2023 link below to view the next reclassification period using GIS ONLINE web app. Select the XY tool button to get the Latitude and Longitude coordinates. DEADLINE TO SUBMIT  COMMENTS REGARDING  THE PLACEMENT OF THE SEASONAL CLASSIFICATION LINE IS APRIL 19, 2023. 

MAY AUGUST 2023

Click Here for Louisiana Shellstock Refrigeration Rule

Resources

• Molluscan Shellfish News
• Out on the Water - Information regarding Vibrio vulnificus
• Louisiana Shellstock Refrigeration Rule - June 2014
  
• Refrigeration Requirements
• Oyster Harvesting Brochure

Related LinksInterstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference: http://www.issc.org/
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov
Louisiana Seafood Promotion Board: http://www.louisianaseafood.com/

For more information:

Molluscan Shellfish Central OfficePhone: (225) 342-7653