Whether the month has an "R" in it or not, Texas officials are closing most of the state's coastal waters to commercial and recreational oyster harvesting because of excessive rainfall and an algae bloom known as "red tide."
The Texas Department of State Health Services said Thursday that most areas will be closed Nov. 1 though Christmas Day.
Certain areas of Galveston Bay will be open to oyster harvesting, but all other areas along the coast will be closed to commercial and recreational harvesting of oysters, clams and mussels until further notice.
The public normally may harvest oysters from Nov. 1 through April 30.
Red-tide toxins can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning with symptoms including nausea and dizziness. Oysters from waters where excessive rain has fallen can contain bacteria and viruses.
