Oyster Lease Moratorium Lifting

For more information, contact the Oyster Lease Program 504.284.5279.

Based on new rules and regulations effective April 20, 2020, LDWF is lifting the long-standing moratorium prohibiting water bottom leases for oyster cultivation, which has been in effect since 2002. Through Acts 570 and 595 of the 2016 regular session, the Louisiana State Legislature established a phased approach to lifting the oyster lease moratorium. The phases are:

• Phase 0 (Current Phase) – Pre-Moratorium Lease Applications Are Processed
  • LDWF, the Office of State Lands (OSL), and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) will review oyster lease applications that were being processed when the oyster lease moratorium began. There are currently 35 applications that will be reviewed prior to the state issuing a lease agreement.
• Phase I – Right of First Refusal for Non-Renewed Avenal Leases
  • Leaseholders of a group of 274 oyster leases that were not renewed due to impacts from the Caernarvon freshwater diversion may apply for reinstatement of their lease(s).
• Phase II – Incorporation of Adjacent Water Bottoms
  • Lessees may apply to expand an existing lease to incorporate immediately adjacent water bottoms not currently under lease.
• Phase III – Right of First Refusal for Lessees under Private Lease
  • Lessees may record any privately-issued lease in effect as of February 1, 2016, with LDWF. These leases will be reviewed and portions of the lease may be converted into a state lease agreement..
• Phase IV – First Lottery Phase
  • A lottery for the right to apply for an oyster lease opens to the general public.
• Phase V – Second Lottery Phase
  • A second lottery may be held if LDWF feels it is warranted.

Any application being protested should be sent to the address below via certified mail:

Oyster Lease Program
2045 Lakeshore Dr., Ste 422
New Orleans, LA 70122

Phase 0 Applicants