MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama officials have announced an earlier start for the upcoming oyster harvest that they hope will be even better than last season.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources approved a Monday start to the season after surveys to check whether Hurricane Sally damaged Mobile Bay reefs came up clear.
The opening applies to a zone in Heron Bay, west of the last piece of mainland before Alabama Highway 193 crosses open water to Dauphin Island. Starting Monday it will be open for weekday harvest from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additionally, Al.com reports harvesting will be allowed from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturdays from Oct. 17 through Nov. 7.