Forget about the 1599 A.D. mantra of eating oysters only in months that end in ‘r’. Old and sage advice for oyster eaters of times past when refrigeration and ice were yet to be invented and the chances for algae bacteria such as red tide increased. Back in the day nearly all oysters were harvested from the wild. Warmer waters trigger spawning season, a time when the muscle flesh basically loses its elasticity. Today, thanks to modern oyster farmers, science and strict environmental regulations, it is safe to eat oysters in the summertime. Have no fear, gauges are here: water quality and bacteria are continually monitored, and many oysters are bred to be sterile so they never become flaccid.