Seafood and Aquatic Life Group

CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION

Molluscan shellfish are defined as oysters, clams, and mussels.    All shellfish in Texas waters must be harvested from approved or conditionally approved areas as designated on the maps below.

The status of shellfish growing waters in Texas estuaries is subject to change by the Texas Department of State Health Services at any time. These changes may be due to high rainfall and runoff, flooding, hurricanes and other extreme weather conditions, major spills, red tides, or the failure or inefficient operation of wastewater treatment facilities.

The current status of shellfish harvesting areas may be obtained from your local Texas Parks and Wildlife office or by calling, toll-free, 1-800-685-0361.

Texas Parks and Wildife posts the Regulations for Oysters and Other Aquatic Life on their Web site at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/fish/oysterreg/.

Shellfish Classification of Harvesting Areas Maps

The following files are in PDF format, and some of the files are rather large due to the maps that they include. These files will take some time to download. Please be patient.

It is recommended that you download the most current version of the FREE ADOBE READER in order to access these files.

If you cannot download the files, DSHS will provide a hard copy of the area(s) you are interested in. Please E-mail or contact him at 512-834-6757 ext. 2503.

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Texas Department of State Health Services, Environmental and Consumer Safety Section,
Seafood and Aquatic Life Group, 1100 West 49th Street - Austin, Texas 78756 - 512-834-6757

Last Updated October 30, 2007