The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced oyster harvesting season ends at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Alabama law requires the closure of all public water bottoms to oyster harvest to allow for proper conservation.
The oyster season began on October 6. During the 54 days, approximately 5,000 sacks of oysters were harvested.
ADCNR’s Marine Resources Division (MRD) was already monitoring oyster reefs with concerns.
“Surveys of oyster reefs conducted prior to the 2025 season opening indicated the abundance of harvestable oysters was much less compared to last year”, said Kevin Anson, MRD Director. “The data from these surveys and water quality monitoring stations near the oyster reefs, which measure salinity, dissolved oxygen, and water temperature, suggest Alabama’s oyster populations have faced multiple stressors in recent years, which have led to a population decline.”
Challenges facing oyster reefs include low salinity in spring and elevated water temperatures in summer. An even lower number of oysters is expected in the 2026 season because the ADCNR said it takes 18 months for oysters to reach harvest maturity, and most of the oysters affected were young.
Generational harvesters in Mobile Bay have noticed a drastic decline in oyster reefs over 30 years. Some blame dredging for impacting many reefs
Mobile Baykeeper and other organizations have been conducting operations to support the restoration of reefs. By 2027, the Baykeeper hopes to return 500,000 oysters to the Bay.
Auburn University’s Marine Extension and Resource Center produced and transported over 92,000 oysters to a sanctuary reef in Little Lagoon this summer. The Little Lagoon Preservation Society spearheaded the effort.
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