Limited Oyster Harvest Opens November 2

The Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announces that the state's oyster season will open on Monday, November 2, 2026. Harvest will be limited to the Cedar Point East, Cedar Point West and Heron Bay grids Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. A season closure date will be determined based on results from daily reporting through MRD's Oyster Management Stations.

Based on MRD surveys in 2026, low oyster populations on Alabama's public oyster reefs continue. Since the early 2000s, Alabama's oysters have experienced periods of extended drought, flooding rains in the Mobile Bay watershed and extreme heat during the summers. These conditions can adversely affect Alabama's oyster population. MRD will carefully monitor oyster landings during 2026 to determine when and which grids to close throughout the season.

Oyster Season Information

Harvesters can view open harvest areas and their locations within the grids by accessing MRD's Oyster Management Station Oyster Grid Map. A link to the map is available at www.outdooralabama.com/oysterharvest.

Harvesters are reminded to visit the Oyster Management Station located across from Jemison's Bait and Tackle to drop off their Oyster Management Station ID cards and confirm which grids are open for harvest prior to the start of their harvesting trip. Information related to grid openings and closings will be posted at the Jemison's Bait and Tackle Oyster Management Station location (see address below) 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 the MRD at (251) 861-2882 or visit the MRD office located at 2 North Iberville Drive, Dauphin Island.

Recreational Oyster Tags

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

Date/Time of Grids Opening

Cedar Point East, Cedar Point West and Heron Bay grids will open on Monday, November 2, 2026. Harvest times are from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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 the vessel. 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.

Oyster Management Station Location

16871 Dauphin Island Parkway, Coden, Alabama 36523

Oyster Management Station Hours

Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Oyster Management Station Contact Number

(251) 257-9966