Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Alabama’s oyster harvest season is set to return, with state officials preparing for both commercial and recreational activity. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), through its Marine Resources Division, announced that public oyster bottoms will open to weekday harvesters. Catchers will be required to follow established rules on reporting, licensing, and limits to participate.

The season begins on Monday, October 6, 2025, with harvesting allowed from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. each weekday. The first areas to open are east of Dauphin Island Parkway, while additional grids are expected later in the season. Harvesting will not take place on federal holidays, and daily oversight will be provided through designated Oyster Management Stations.

All commercial oyster catchers, regardless of age, must hold a valid commercial oyster catcher’s license. They may harvest no more than eight sacks of oysters per person or vessel each day. Recreational participants, who do not need a license, must instead purchase a recreational harvest tag and report their catch at a station. They are limited to 100 oysters per day, and each must measure at least three inches.

Only hand and tong methods are permitted for harvest. Before leaving the docks, harvesters must stop at a station to confirm which grids are open and to turn in identification cards. The main station is across from Jemison’s Bait and Tackle on Dauphin Island Parkway, and a second will open at Delta Port Boat Launch once additional areas are cleared.

Recreational and commercial oysters cannot be transported on the same vessel. Information on openings, closings, and station updates will be posted on site and shared on the Marine Resources Division’s social media channels. For details about licenses or regulations, the division’s Dauphin Island office can be reached at (251) 861-2882.

The ADCNR stresses that these rules are designed to keep Alabama’s oyster population sustainable while still allowing access for harvesters. Officials see this balance as critical for protecting the resource while supporting the coastal economy.