GALVESTON

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department plans to open three Galveston Bay oyster harvesting areas on Nov. 1, following sample testing showing relative high abundance of market-sized oysters ahead of the state’s oyster season.

Department testing of pre-season samples showed three harvest areas in Galveston Bay containing some reefs meeting department thresholds for oysters 3 inches or larger.

“In an effort to aid Texas’ commercial oyster fishermen this season, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has elected to temporarily depart from strict adherence to the established thresholds for the 2025-2026 season,” the department’s Coastal Fisheries Division Director Robin Riechers said. “Maintaining the balance of conserving oyster resources with fishing opportunities for the commercia

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