With the Red Tide Receding, It's Time To Eat Some Texas Oysters

Finally. We've been covering the red tide outbreak and its effect on oyster harvesting in the gulf for some time now. Last week the news finally shifted toward the positive. Many regions of the Texas Gulf shore have been opened to oyster fisherman. I talked with Chris Van Deusen, spokeswoman...

By Scott Reitz

February 17, 2012

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Finally. We've been covering the red tide outbreak and its effect on oyster harvesting in the gulf for some time now. Last week the news finally shifted toward the positive. Many regions of the Texas Gulf shore have been opened to oyster fisherman.

I talked with Chris Van Deusen, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of State Health Services, who told me the first waters in San Antonio Bay opened Jan 27. Last Thursday a large section of Galveston Bay was opened. Other areas continue to be opened as oysters are tested and determined to be safe.

So when can we start eating? Texas Oysters should be available soon in Dallas. Robb Walsh reports that at least one restaurant in Houston is already serving them, and Jon Alexis of TJ's Seafood hopes to have some in for Fat Tuesday. Get your oyster knives out Aters. It's shuckin' time.

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