13-100-CWS | September 27, 2013
BILOXI, Miss. – Several oyster reefs that were scheduled to open Monday, Sept. 30, for commercial tonging will remain closed due to heavy rain. earlier this week. Also, the stage of the Pearl River in Louisiana is forecast by the National Weather Service to exceed the management plan criteria for these areas.
Those areas include:
Area II “A” – Conditionally Approved Waters – This area includes northern portions of the Pass Christian and Henderson Point reefs and Hornets reef.
Area II “B” – Conditionally Approved Waters – This area includes Waveland and St. Stanislaus reefs.
Area II “D” – Conditionally Approved Waters – This area includes the public reefs in St. Louis Bay between the U.S. Highway 90 bridge and the CSX railroad bridge.
Earlier this month, the Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources approved opening a limited oyster season. Reefs will be open for commercial tonging on Monday. Reefs will be open for commercial dredging beginning Oct. 14.
There is a 12-sack daily limit for commercial tonging and a 20-sack daily limit for commercial dredging.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at www.dmr.ms.gov.
Contact: Melissa Scallan
Phone: 228-523-4124
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