Oyster Harvesting Tag Requirements

Oysters taken from Louisiana state waters for sale must be properly identified.  Harvesters and dealers must identify sacks and other packing containers used to hold in-shell oysters with official oyster harvest tags purchased from LDWF. The color of the tag depends on the intended use of the oysters.

• White Tags - For raw consumption in and outside of Louisiana
• Green Tags - For shucking or post-harvest processing; must be consumed fully cooked
• Pink Tags - For raw consumption only in Louisiana; may not leave the state of Louisiana
• Blue Tags- For shell stock that has been post-harvest processed by a certified dealer and may now be sold for raw (half shell) consumption in and outside of Louisiana.

For more info regarding oyster tags, contact Robert Caballero via email or at 504.286.4054

 Oyster Tag Poster - 11" x 17" (PDF)

Oyster Tag Poster - 8.5" x 11" (PDF)

Tags are identified with and traceable to both harvesters and dealers.  Information on each tag includes:

• Dealer’s name, address, certification number assigned by LDH and the original oyster shipper’s number, if different
• Harvester’s identification number assigned by LDWF
• Date and area of harvest
• Type and quantity of oysters

If you sack or package oysters on your vessel, you must tag them prior to removing them from the vessel. If you sack or package oysters at the dock, you must tag them immediately upon arriving at the dock prior to shipping them. If you harvest from more than one area on a given day, you must sack or package and tag the oysters from one area before moving on to the next.

Dealers must keep oyster harvest tags affixed to each container of in-shell oysters until the container is shipped or emptied for washing, grading, or packing. Dealers must retain all tags for at least 90 days.

It is illegal to possess untagged sacks or containers of oysters (other than on board the vessel or at the dock prior to shipment). Any untagged or improperly tagged sacks or containers will be considered to have been taken from polluted waters, deemed a health hazard, and seized and destroyed. Untagged sacks or containers of oysters may not be sold for resale.

Ordering Pre-Printed Oyster Tags

Oyster harvesting tags can be purchased from the list of offices below. Additionally, personalized tags can be ordered by filling out the form for the desired tag color. Personalized tags are available by the carton (6,000 tags). Fill out the form clearly for the pre-printed tags, as no refunds or reprints will be given for mistakes. Tag orders can be shipped to LDWF field offices or to your address. Send check or money order to:

LDWF-ATTN:
Secunda Byrd
P.O. Box 14796
Baton Rouge, LA 70898

Order Forms

Oyster Tag Sale Locations