WILMINGTON — The commercial oyster season has opened in North Carolina.

Media outlets reported that tidal conditions for the opening of the season Monday were less than ideal.

Chip Collier with the Division of Marine Fisheries district in Wilmington says the conditions were unlikely to keep commercial fishermen out of the water.

The season runs through the end of March, but can close early if population levels decline before then.

Those with a commercial license can harvest five bushels of oysters per day.

Nathan King with Seaview Crab Co. in Wilmington says activity picks up later in the week as fish houses begin stocking up on shellfish for weekend seafood shoppers.

Collier says it appears 2012 will be a successful season.