Oyster Aquaculture Grant Program is sponsored by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Provides grants for large-scale oyster aquaculture projects in Louisiana to enhance production and sustainability.

Alternative Oyster Culture | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Alternative Oyster Culture Alternative Oyster Culture Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC), also known as cage culture, involves growing oysters in floating or bottom cages attached to pilings. This method enables growers to raise or lower the cages to protect oysters from predators, fouling, and storm-related impacts, such as burial from hurricanes.

Louisiana Sea Grant has operated an AOC demonstration farm on Grand Isle for over a decade and has been researching alternative oyster methods since the late 1980s. The LDWF and the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program at LSU (Sea Grant) have joined forces to create Louisiana Fisheries Forward.

More information on AOC can be found on their website: Alternative Oyster Culture Statute (PDF) Operation Plan Guidelines (PDF) Hurricane Plan Guidelines (PDF) A Fisheries Forward - Advancing Our Seafood Industry - Alternative Oyster Culture If you are interested in establishing an Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) in Louisiana waters, you will need an AOC Permit from LDWF.

The LDWF AOC Permit, along with other required permits and licenses from this and other agencies, allows for AOC equipment to be used to grow and harvest oysters in certain areas. LDWF considers several factors when determining whether to approve AOC Permit applications. AOC Permit applications are available upon request.

To start with, applicants must be at least 18 years old and a Louisiana resident, or a corporation organized in Louisiana, and meet one of the following conditions: Hold a valid oyster lease on state water bottoms (Pursuant to R. S. 56:427 or 428) Hold a dual-claimed water bottom lease (As defined in R.

S. 56:425. 1) LDWF AOC Permits cover common AOC gear, such as: On-bottom cages, racks, or bags Off-bottom cages, racks, or bags suspended by poles or floats String or longline culture However, we are aware that AOC technology is constantly evolving, so other gear types will be considered for permitting.

Applying for an LDWF AOC Permit Please contact LDWF to obtain an AOC Permit application. There is a $100 non-refundable application fee. As mentioned earlier, LDWF is not the only agency involved in permitting AOC operations.

One permit needed to apply for an LDWF AOC Permit is a Coastal Use Permit (CUP) , issued by the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy (LDC&E). The CUP can be a lengthy process. Many agencies, including local, state, and federal, are involved.

Contact OCMInfo@la. gov or visit the LDC&E Office of Coastal Management website for more information. Other agencies that play roles in permitting AOC activities include: S.

Army Corps of Engineers Section 9/10 and/or Section 404 Contact 862-2766 or visit the Army Corps’ website Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Water Quality Certification Contact 219-3225 or visit LDEQ’s website The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and LDEQ permits are typically included in the CUP process.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) may require marking of certain components of AOC farming equipment through their Navigational Aid Permit (Form CG-2554). For more information, contact them at D8oanPATON@uscg. mil or visit the Coast Guard website.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of requirements, conditions, and other relevant information that an AOC Permit applicant should be aware of. LDWF AOC Permit applications will be posted on the department’s website for a period of at least 15 days for public comment. LDWF will not begin processing the application until the posting period has closed.

An estimate from a licensed Louisiana commercial contractor (Heavy Construction or Coastal Restoration classification), with no familial or business ties to the applicant, is required for the cost to remove gear and facilities. A performance bond or financial surety for the removal cost of gear and facilities may be required.

Each buoy, main cage, bag, float, or structure used in AOC operations must be labeled with a durable, permanent tag displaying the LDWF AOC Permit number, the permittee’s name, and contact information. LDWF may issue AOC Permits with specific conditions regarding the number, location, size, and configuration of permitted activities, which may differ from what was proposed in the application.

LDWF may issue AOC Permits with restrictions or requirements related to gear, lighting, signage, or any other aspect of AOC activity. AOC Permittees and/or authorized users are required to submit trip tickets for harvested and sold oysters. AOC Permittees and/or authorized users may be required to submit additional data for the purpose of monitoring AOC operations in the State of Louisiana.

Changes to equipment type, quantity, location, loss of equipment, missing equipment, or changes in the size of the AOC operations area must be reported to LDWF. LDWF is required to post notice of all Alternative Oyster Culture permit applications for public comment for a period of 15 days before acting on the application. Below are the current Alternative Oyster Culture permit applications.

Please use the Alternative Oyster Culture Comment Form to submit your comments on any pending permit application listed below. End Date/Time for Comment Period Powered by Cicero Government