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  November February   2025 Seasonal Reclassification  line is posted for comments

LDH will be having a map showing  on Thursday October 17, 2024  to present the NOVEMBER FEBRUARY 2025 Reclassification line. The showing will be on the 2nd floor at the Jefferson Parish Health Unit (111 North Causeway Blvd. Metairie, LA 70001)  between the hours of 10:00 am -12:00 PM.

 

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 NOVEMBER FEBRUARY 2025 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  OCTOBER 24, 2024. 

Below is a link that will bring you directly to the line for your review.

MARCH APRIL 2025

OYSTER HARVEST AREAS

Louisiana Oysters are Safe to Eat
Oyster Testing and Baseline Samples
Sensory Training
Other Highlighted Facts

SEASONAL RECLASSIFICATIONS



(2 MB - PDF)


Click For Season Reclassifications Map

 

Click Here for Louisiana Shellstock Refrigeration Rule

 

Resources

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