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The summer oyster season is starting early this year, in an effort to beat the growing oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Florida Department of Agriculture gave in to the calls from oysterman to open the summer beds. The department’s spokesman Terry McElroy says from now until the end of the month oystermen will have their work cut out for them.

“As it stands now, the winter harvesting area, which is the main harvesting area for the bulk of the year, which typically closes May 31, will close May 31, so for an 11 day window both the winter and summer harvesting areas are open,” said McElroy.

The summer oyster season lasts through August, but many fear the federal fishing ban will be extended to oyster beds before the season ends. Currently 19 percent of the gulf is closed to fishermen.