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From Marylandseafoodfacts.org

Q. Can I eat oysters in months without an "R"?
A. Oysters can be eaten year round because of present day refrigeration. Formerly, oysters were eaten during months having an "R" in their name. This old "R" rule is no longer followed, and availability alone now governs when and how oysters may be eaten. In June, oysters spawn, which make them less plump; they are still safe for consumption.

Cagey is one of the few that have gotten this right. Oysters spawn in the summer when the water is warmer, but has less nutrients. When they are spawning, not only are they less plump, they get a slightly metallic taste.

So in the olden days in the Northern Hemisphere, it was the "R" months that were the best time to east oysters from a taste standpoint, has nothing to do with bacteria in the water because of warm weather. The reverse is true here in Oz and we are just going out of the best season as Spring is here and Summer is soon coming. Australia has some of the most successful commercial oyster operations. They have now developed a new oyster, with a little genetic manipulation, that doesn't spawn and they are beginning to be marketed here during the summer months -- they taste OK. Of course, I guess you can't consider these "organic" oysters!

I downed a bunch of blue points at the Oyster Bar last week. Very tasty with a glass of Chablis. This was in SeptermbeR and no, I am not speaking to you from the grave.