Press release
October 23, 2020
Contact: MRD, (251) 861-2882
Oyster Management Station Addition and Area Change
Pursuant to Section 9-12-28, Code of Alabama 1975 as stated by Rule 220-3-.02, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Marine Resources Division (MRD) will open limited areas of public oyster bottoms for weekday harvest beginning on Monday, October 12, 2020, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additionally, weekend harvest will be allowed from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the following Saturdays: October 24, 31 and November 7.
New for 2020: Harvesters can now 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/fishing/saltwater-fishing.
Grids or areas will open and close based on evaluations of the harvest by MRD staff. Future openings will be announced by press release.
Harvesters are reminded to visit the OMS locations to drop off their OMS ID cards and confirm which zone(s) is open for harvest. OMS ID Cards must be dropped at the OMS location where the catcher intends to land.
All commercial oyster catchers, regardless of age, must have a commercial oyster catcher’s license in order to participant 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.
Harvest Area Opening: Cedar Point West– See map for open grids.
Date/Time of Opening: Monday through Friday, beginning October 26, 2020, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and selected Saturdays, from 7 a.m. to 12 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 Locations:
Cedar Point Cutoff 16871 Dauphin Island Pkwy in Coden, Monday-Friday, selected Saturdays
New: Delta Port Boat Launch 5080 Green Dr. West in Coden, Monday through Friday only
Management Station Hours: Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Management Station Contact: (251) 257-9966
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 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. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.
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