Texas Halts Oyster Harvesting in Galveston Bay

GALVESTON, Texas (TXAN 24) — State officials have ordered the closure of key oyster harvesting areas in Galveston Bay due to declining oyster populations.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says the move is necessary to allow reefs time to recover after years of environmental strain, including storms, overharvesting, and habitat loss.

Commercial fishermen say the shutdown will hit the local economy hard, especially for families who rely on oyster harvesting as their primary source of income.

Officials have not given a firm timeline for reopening but say conditions will be monitored closely to determine when harvesting can safely resume.