In a news release today, LDWF announced that oyster larvae production at the Michael C. Voisin Oyster Hatchery will be delayed. Severe weather in Grand Isle on Tuesday, April 13, resulted in minor damage to the facility, but LDWF is hopeful that normal operation will resume in a timely fashion.
“Though the damage was minimal,” said Public Information Director, Rene LeBreton, “the loss of power at the hatchery has resulted in a delay in oyster larval production.”
As LDWF continues its evaluation of the damage at the facility, it will accept orders via its online portal, and will continue to provide the oyster industry with hatchery-reared oyster larvae produced at the Michael C. Voisin hatchery.
All requests must be processed through the online ordering portal. Requests in writing or by phone will not be accepted. Although orders will be filled in the order in which they were received, special consideration will be given to in-state requests.
In an effort to ease the impact of the delay, large orders may be reduced, or split, based on the availability of larvae and seed.
“Payment will not be required at the time of the request,” the press release said, “LDWF will contact those requesting hatchery products at a later date for payment.”
The online ordering form can be found at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/alternative-oyster-culture.
For additional information, contact Program Development at 225-765-3980, 1-855-262-1764, or at Oversightprograms@wlf.la.gov.
