Galveston Bay Oyster Harvest Area Closing April 21
Summary
TPWD is closing TX-1 in Galveston Bay to commercial and recreational oyster harvest beginning 12:01 a.m. April 21, 2026. The closure follows recent samples showing low abundance of legal-sized oysters. Commercial and recreational harvesters must cease harvesting in this area.
“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is closing TX-1 in Galveston Bay to commercial and recreational oyster harvest beginning 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, April 21st.”
What changed
TPWD is closing TX-1 in Galveston Bay to commercial and recreational oyster harvest effective April 21, 2026. The closure is based on recent sampling showing a low abundance of legal-sized oysters in the area. Commercial and recreational oyster harvesters must immediately cease harvesting operations in the affected area. TPWD will continue to monitor the area and reopen it when oyster populations meet established abundance criteria.
Affected commercial oyster harvesters and recreational harvesters should confirm the status of TX-1 before planning any harvest activities. The closure may have economic implications for commercial oyster operations in the Galveston Bay area until the area is reopened.
Archived snapshot
Apr 20, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
TPWD Closing Oyster Harvest Area in Galveston Bay
April 17, 2026
Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is closing TX-1 in Galveston Bay to commercial and recreational oyster harvest beginning 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, April 21st. This closure is based on samples recently collected by TPWD showing a low abundance of legal-sized oysters.
TPWD has worked with the oyster industry to develop criteria for closing areas to harvest. The criteria include parameters for oysters when they fall below certain thresholds based on the abundance of oysters three inches or greater.
TPWD will continue to monitor all areas currently closed to harvest and will reopen them when they meet criteria thresholds.
A map showing oyster harvesting areas, as well as the most up-to-date status information on each area, can be found on the Texas Department of State Health Services website.
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