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NEWS RELEASE February 2, 2004 |
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NEWS RELEASE February 2, 2004 |
Baton Rouge --- Under an oyster relocation program, Louisiana oyster harvesters can move oysters from the public seed grounds in Quarantine Bay area east of the Mississippi River and transplant them to their private leases for later harvest. This program is part of an initiative by both the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
The two state agencies, in conjunction with the Louisiana Oyster Task Force, will allow such transplants on a permit-only basis. Under this permitting system, oysters may be taken from public seed grounds located in the area known as Quarantine Bay near Empire, La. The Departments will only allow this transplant from March 1 through March 14, 2004.
This public seed ground is located in waters that DHH has classified as “closed to harvest” because of high bacteria levels. The relay of oysters from closed areas requires that oyster fishermen obtain a Transplant Permit from DHH. The oysters that are transplanted must remain in waters open to harvest for a minimum of 15 days prior to their harvest, thus allowing the oysters to undergo a natural cleansing process.
Oyster fishermen who have private leases will be allowed to apply for a permit from DHH to transplant oysters from Quarantine Bay to leases where the oysters will remain until they are free of harmful bacteria. This type of operation involves oyster fishermen applying for the Transplant Permit, which details the conditions of the transplant.
The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries allows the taking of oysters from public seed grounds by oystermen to relocate into their private leases. The Enforcement Division of Wildlife and Fisheries ensures that polluted oysters are not harvested for direct market to the public.
The Department of Health and Hospitals will accept applications for permits through Feb. 13 to transplant oysters from the state-owned public seed grounds located in Quarantine Bay. Applications for Transplant Permits may be obtained between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday from David Guilbeau, Department of Health and Hospitals --- Commercial Seafood Program, 6867 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge, La., 70810; Phone: 225-763-5467.
The fee for a Transplant Permit is $100 and a performance bond of $5,000 must accompany the transplant application. Oyster fishermen who are granted permits will be allowed to transplant only during the first two weeks of March 2004, and each transplant vessel must be under the direct supervision of a surveillance officer. All costs associated with the surveillance officer are the responsibility of the person securing the permit.