Emergency oyster rule adopted by committee

The House Natural Resources Committee unanimously passed legislation last week that would allow oyster farmers to avoid a federal rule that many inside the industry describe as burdensome. In conformity with federal regulations, Louisiana oyster harvesters will only have one hour to transport their product from the water to refrigeration during the period from May 1 to Oct. 31 each year. This is traditionally the hottest time in south Louisiana—and the season health officials worry most about Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus, which are naturally occurring marine bacteria in warmer waters that can make people with pre-existing conditions or weak immune systems ill. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commissioner Mike Voisin calls it an “undue burden” that will put fishermen in a pinch if they don’t own what amounts to expensive equipment. That’s why Rep. Girod Jackson, D-Harvey, is pushing House Bill 245 to allow a five-hour time limit, but only for oysters sold inside Louisiana. In order to beat the May 1 effective date of the new federal regulations, committee members amended the legislation so that the proposed five-hour time limit would go onto Louisiana’s books as soon as Gov. Bobby Jindal signs the bill. House Bill 245 is now pending final action on the House floor. Read this and more news in 10/12 Corridor Weekly here. —Jeremy Alford