Decision Making on Oyster Harvesting
The power of decision making regarding our coastal oyster season has shifted from the Commission of Marine Resources to the executive director of the DMR.
Before, all decisions had to be voted on by the commission. Now Executive Director Jamie Miller can make calls on the fly about increasing daily sack limits and quota, as well as close areas of the reef that may be over harvested.
This year’s oyster season has been short so far because of a number of closures. Now that more reefs are open, DMR officials plan on hitting the docks to see how the catch is coming along. “I’m getting ready to go meet with some of the fishermen and some of the dealers to have that discussion to talk about how the season’s going and to ask them about what they see in the next weeks and months to come and then make some decisions that will be best for the reef source and also best for the industry,” said Miller.
At this morning’s meeting, the commission also received an update on the harmful algae bloom that was reported. Testing was done in the water throughout the week. The DMR found no indication of a harmful algae bloom approaching the Mississippi Sound.
Before, all decisions had to be voted on by the commission. Now Executive Director Jamie Miller can make calls on the fly about increasing daily sack limits and quota, as well as close areas of the reef that may be over harvested.
This year’s oyster season has been short so far because of a number of closures. Now that more reefs are open, DMR officials plan on hitting the docks to see how the catch is coming along. “I’m getting ready to go meet with some of the fishermen and some of the dealers to have that discussion to talk about how the season’s going and to ask them about what they see in the next weeks and months to come and then make some decisions that will be best for the reef source and also best for the industry,” said Miller.
At this morning’s meeting, the commission also received an update on the harmful algae bloom that was reported. Testing was done in the water throughout the week. The DMR found no indication of a harmful algae bloom approaching the Mississippi Sound.
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