Texas Drought Conditions Hurting Oyster Harvest

Drought conditions in Texas are hindering hope that oysters harvested there could make up for losses in Louisiana and Mississippi, where the shellfish have suffered because of flooding and the BP Oil Spill. Mike Voisin, with the Louisiana Oyster Task Force, says Gulf oysters will take an even bigger hit this year. Voisin says there are oysters available, but in shorter supply and higher prices. Voisin says oysters are priced as high as 30-percent more than they were last year.

He says another challenge facing the oyster industry continues to be the nation's negative perception of gulf seafood. He says Louisiana will likely open most of its public harvesting grounds this year.