The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources reported that oyster harvests since the Oct. 13 opener have totaled 11,379 sacks, an average of about 367 sacks per day, and that managers have sold 142 harvest licenses in the current season. Director (unnamed) told the Advisory Commission on Marine Resources on Nov. 18 that dense oyster clusters have been reported in Areas 2A and 2Ve and that harvesters are largely able to attain their daily quotas with moderate effort.

"We open the area on the October 13, and we have 11,379 total sacks have been harvested, averaging 367 sacks per day," the Director said. He noted underused grounds such as Henderson Point — "about 40,000 oysters sacks of oysters that we can harvest off of Henderson Point" — and encouraged harvesters to move to less-fished areas rather than close partial areas, which would require closing entire management units.

The director also discussed the agency's on-bottom lease program after a court decision. "Because of the judge's ruling that it was unconstitutional to do it the way it was, we gotta look at it," he said, adding that agency staff will "sit down with the legislatures and see what we can do with it" to preserve "traditional reefs" where possible while coming into compliance with the ruling.

Why it matters: oyster landings affect commercial harvesters' income, reef health and future seasons. The department said it will work with state senators and representatives to modify pending legislation so the lease program complies with the court decision while protecting existing productive reefs and harvest opportunities.

The Director also reported ongoing outreach and forum participation and encouraged harvesters to consider underused reef areas. The commission did not take formal regulatory action at the meeting; staff said they will return with recommended statutory or rule changes following discussions with legislators.