6 charged with illegal oyster practices

The federal government says two oyster fishing operations took more oysters from the Delaware Bay than they were allowed, the AP reports. 

Prosecutors say Reeves Brothers of Port Norris, N.J., over-harvested its quota between 2004 and 2009. They say the extra oysters had a value of more than $600,000.

Also charged was Harbor House Seafood in Seaford, Del. Authorities say that business helped the Reeves Brothers hide their catches and bought in more oysters than allowed from another fisherman as well.

The government says it seized six oyster boats as part of the investigation.