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 adhere to the NSSP.

 SPECIAL NOTE: 

The Louisiana Department of Health will reopen oyster beds in areas 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, AND 28 beginning at sunrise on Monday, September 27, 2021.

They were previously closed due to Hurricane Ida.

Click here to view the reopening order signed by State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter and LDH Secretary Dr. Courtney N. Phillips.

The  November February 2022 Seasonal Reclassification is posted for comments

Please send all 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 November February 2022 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.

NOVEMBER FEBRUARY 2022

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