The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has opened commercial and recreational oyster harvesting in areas TX-1 and TX-5 of Galveston Bay, effective Monday, Nov. 2.
The decision follows pre-season sampling by TPWD biologists, who evaluate local shellfish beds to confirm they meet required population thresholds for legal-sized oysters (three inches or larger).
Robin Riechers, TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division Director, highlighted the department’s goal to strike a balance between sustainable conservation and economic opportunity, ensuring Texas oyster reefs remain viable both for today’s commercial fishers and for future generations.
Shellfish Harvest Area Status and Maps
