GRETNA - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the state's oyster industry is suffering and as a result, several harvesting areas will be off-limits.

Oyster season opened Wednesday in parts of Louisiana. However, a low oyster population is causing problems for oyster farmers.

Factors contributing to the low resources include too much fresh water in the areas in which the oysters grow and the 2010 Gulf oil spill.

Oyster farmer Matthew Lepetich says he believes the oyster stock never recovered after Hurricane Katrina.

Harvesting areas south of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet are closed, including Little Lakes in Barataria Bay.

Areas east of the Mississippi River, Bay Junop, Lake Mechant, the Vermilion Bay area and the Atchafalaya Bay area opened Wednesday.