Oyster Harvest Opens October 6

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 will open certain areas of public oyster bottoms for weekday harvest beginning on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 7 a.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 https://www.outdooralabama.com/oysterharvest.

Harvesters are reminded to visit an Oyster Management Station (OMS) prior to the start of their harvesting trip to drop off their OMS ID cards and confirm which grids are open for harvest. The primary OMS is located across from Jemison's Bait and Tackle (16871 Dauphin Island Parkway, Coden, Alabama 36523). Certain grids east of the Dauphin Island Parkway will open on October 6th.

Additional grids will be opened to harvest sometime after October 6th. At that time a second OMS located at Delta Port Boat Launch (5080 Green Drive, Coden, Alabama 36523) will be opened. Information related to grid and OMS openings and closings will be posted at OMS locations and on MRD social media sites.

All commercial oyster catchers, regardless of age, must have a commercial oyster catcher's license 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.

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

Harvest times: Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Grids will be closed on selected Federal holidays.

Harvest Limits: Commercial oyster catchers may harvest a maximum of eight (8) 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 Methods: Tong or Hand only.

Management Station Locations: Cedar Point Cutoff across from Jemison's Bait and Tackle and Delta Port Boat Launch (see addresses listed above).

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

Management Station Contact: (251) 257-9966 (Jemison's Bait and Tackle OMS).

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.

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