louisiana oysters

Louisiana is exploring off-bottom oyster harvesting as more than just a marketing strategy. In its final environmental impact statement for the controversial Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lists the state’s strong interest in off-bottom oyster cultivation as a way to help build resiliency into an industry under threat from sediment diversions.

At least 15 people reported illness after eating oysters at several New Orleans restaurants.

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force hopes to revive a state-run program created after Hurricane Katrina that would help oyster harvesters rehabilitate their fishing grounds and save the state from poor harvests in the next few years.