Alternative Oyster Culture

If you meet any of the following criteria, you may be eligible to apply for an Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) Permit to grow and harvest oysters within your leased area:

• You hold a valid oyster lease on state water bottoms*
• You own the water bottom
• You hold a dual-claimed water bottom lease**

Permitted AOC methods include:

• On-bottom cages, racks, or bags
• Off-bottom cages, racks, or bags suspended by poles or floats
• String or longline culture
• Any other approved method specified in your permit

To apply, you must also:

• Hold both an Oyster Harvester License and a Commercial Fishing License
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a Louisiana resident, or a corporation organized in Louisiana.

*Pursuant to R.S. 56:427 or 428

**As defined in R.S. 56:425.1

Before Applying for a Permit

For questions about AOC permitting or to apply for a permit, please contact the LDWF AOC Permits Coordinator,  Denise Kinsey via email or at 985.858.2925

Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC), also known as cage culture, involves growing oysters in floating or bottom cages attached to pilings. This method allows growers to raise or lower the cages to protect oysters from predators, fouling, and storm-related impacts like 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.

For a detailed archive of AOC resources—including videos, gear guides, and best practices—visit:

LA Fisheries Forward - Advancing Our Seafood Industry - Alternative Oyster Culture

Apply for a Permit

To begin the AOC Permit application process, the leaseholder—or an authorized agent with power of attorney—can contact the AOC Permits Coordinator to help guide process.

As part of the application, the following items may be required:

• All applicable local, state, and federal permits related to the proposed activity or official documentation from the relevant agencies confirming that such permits are not required. These may include (but are not limited to):
  • Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR) Coastal Use Permit (CUP).
    • Contact OCMInfo@la.gov or visit DENR Website.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permits
    • Includes Section 9/10 (Obstruction to Navigation) and/or Section 404 (Fill).
    • These can often be applied for jointly with the (DENR) CUP.

• Contact 504.862.2766 or visit the Army Corps’ website.

• Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Water Quality Certification.

• Typically handled as part of the CUP process.
• Contact 225.219.3225 or visit LDEQ’s website.
• U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Navigational Aid Permit (Form CG-2554)
• Contact D8oanPATON@uscg.mil or visit the Coast Guard’s website.
• Estimated cost of gear and facility removal, prepared by a licensed Louisiana commercial contractor (Heavy Construction or Coastal Restoration classification). The contractor must have no familial or business ties to the applicant. A performance bond or financial surety for cost may be required to ensure removal and proper disposal.
• Application fee of $100
• Copy of the power of attorney, if the applicant is acting on behalf of the leaseholder.

Please note that LDWF may require additional information. Once (AOC) permitted, farmers will need additional Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Aquaculture Permitting for the harvest and sale of oysters.

Permit Review and Approval

Once a completed application has been submitted and the $100 non-refundable application fee has been received, the following process begins:

Public Notification:

LDWF will post a notice of the new permit application online for a period of 15 days. The posting will include a point of contact for public comments. Email notification will also be sent to individuals who have requested written notice. LDWF will not begin processing the application until the 15-day posting has closed.

Permit Review & Decision:

LDWF will review the application and determine one of the following outcomes:

• Approval: The permit is granted as submitted.
• Conditional Approval: LDWF proposes modifications and will consult with the applicant before finalizing the permit.
• Denial: LDWF issues a written notice of denial to the applicant at the address provided in the application.

Permit Issuance:

If the permit is approved— as submitted or with agreed-upon modifications— it will be issued to the applicant at the address listed in their application. Approved permits are valid for a 10-year term, with annual renewal fees required ($2 per acre or partial acre). Permit holders must pay the applicable annual fee each year to maintain the permit in good standing.

Permit Restrictions and Requirements

LDWF may issue Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) Permits with specific conditions regarding the number, location, size, and configuration of permitted activities—these may differ from what was proposed in the original application.

In addition, the approved permit may include restrictions or requirements related to:

• Authorized Equipment and Materials: Specifications on what gear may or must be used for AOC activities
• Marking and Safety Measures: Requirements for lighting, signage, or other navigational safety devices
• Data and Reporting: Obligations to submit information that allows LDWF to monitor and study AOC operations
• Surety Bond: A bond equal to the estimated cost of removing and properly disposing of all gear, structures, and materials associated with the permit

Once a permit is approved, the permittee will be required to pay the first annual permit fee, calculated at $2 per acre or partial acre.  An annual permit fee ($2 per acre or partial acre) is due each January thereafter.  

Before placing any equipment or materials within the permitted area—and prior to conducting any permitted Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) activities—the permittee must comply with all applicable U.S. Coast Guard regulations and state and federal laws related to marking, lighting, and safety requirements. These requirements may be updated from time to time and must be followed accordingly.

All areas containing AOC gear—whether on state water bottoms or suspended in the water column—must be clearly marked.

Additionally, each buoy, main cage, bag, float, or structure used in AOC operations must be labeled with a durable, permanent tag that includes the following:

• Permit number
• Permit holder's name
• Permit holder’s contact information

Updates or Changes to a Permit

All changes to an AOC Permit must be reported to the LDWF AOC Permits Coordinator, Denise Kinsey, at 985.858.2925 or dkinsey@wlf.la.gov. Changes include, but are not limited to, equipment type, quantity of equipment, equipment location, size of the AOC operations area, and/or lost or missing equipment.

Current Pending Permits

LDWF is required to post notice of all Alternative Oyster Culture permits for comment on our website at least 15 days prior to acting on the application. Below are the current Alternative Oyster Culture permit applications. They will remain here for a period of 15 days.  For any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Denise Kinsey via telephone,  225.765.0175 or email at dkinsey@wlf.la.gov.

To comment on an application, please fill out the Alternative Oyster Culture Comment Form to submit your comments to LDWF.