The Nation - News from Aug. 4, 1987

A melee broke out in New Orleans among 600 people vying for leases for Louisiana’s prime oyster beds. The fighting at the state Wildlife and Fisheries Building erupted when half the crowd, many of whom had waited since July 17, were shoved aside by newly arrived applicants when the doors opened at 8:30 a.m. An Empire, La., man suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized in guarded condition. The harvesters who lost their places secured a temporary restraining order preventing state officials from issuing any of the choice oyster bed leases.