Oysters in the Gulf of Mexico
The eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin), is also known as the American oyster and the Gulf Coast oyster. Prior to 1880, this species was extremely abundant in the Gulf of Mexico and large bays of the mid-Atlantic United States (e.g., Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay). A dramatic rise in the popularity of these bivalves as a luxury food item late in the 19th century was a boon to the oyster fishing industry and peak landings were recorded at the turn of the century.
Oysters grow in the brackish (part salt) waters of the Sound, the waters of the Gulf of Mexico along the coastline.
Oyster season typically lasts from September to April, and this year has been poor due to red tide. To date, the oyster harvest is valued at $2.3 million with 179,547 sacks landed, down from 326,037 sacks landed in the 1995-96 season
Up