Tides, rain and budget cuts result in a slow start to North Carolina's oyster season so far
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Star News Online] by Kate Elizabeth Queram - November 13, 2014
Oyster season hasn't been bountiful in Southeastern North Carolina, the result of unfavorable tide schedules, rainy weather and a simple lack of resources, according to watermen and state officials, who said they'll most likely get a better picture of local populations in the coming weeks.
"Most of the oysters in this area are inner-tidal, so you need a good low tide to go out and really get them," said Joe Facendola, a technician with the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. "Since the season opened, there hasn't been a really low tide. This is the first week we'll have one, so we'll probably see more."
The season opened on Oct. 15 and runs through March 31, though it can close early if population levels decline before then. Commercial licenseholders are authorized to take five bushels of oysters per day, all harvested by hand in the southeastern portion of the state.
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