Printable VersionLouisiana is a major shellfish producer. Oyster production is a $30,000,000 dockside industry in this state. Louisiana's rich coastal waters produce 13,000,000 pounds or 2 to 2.5 million sacks of oysters annually and about 60 % of those are shipped to other states and all over the world. Think of it this way, enough oysters are produced in Louisiana so that when averaged out over a year the quantity amounts to US and foreign consumers eating 1 million Louisiana oysters every day!
However oysters, like any other food product must be closely regulated in the interest of public health. In addition, as a valuable commodity, oysters must be protected from theft from both private oyster leases and the public seed grounds managed by this department.
Health risks associated with consuming raw shellfish are a major concern today. Oysters feed by filtering water and collecting nourishment in the process. As a result oysters and other shellfish collect chemicals and other pollutants from the waters where they live. Viruses, bacteria and toxins introduced into the waters by illegal waste disposal, flooding, spills and other sources can build to levels in shellfish sufficient to cause illness when eaten by humans. People with certain pre-existing medical conditions such as liver disease are at particular risk and some have died from eating polluted shellfish.
These health concerns are addressed by regulations governing water quality, harvest methods, refrigeration, transportation, processing and packing. Sources of these regulations are the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, the US Food and Drug Administration, the Louisiana Dept. of Health and Hospitals and the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries. The responsibility for enforcement of the rules and regulations rests with LDHH and LDWF Enforcement Division.
The primary responsibility of LDWF Enforcement is to patrol oyster growing areas. When waters are closed to harvest due to unacceptable levels of pollution or due to natural events such as toxic algae blooms, it is LDWF's responsibility to enforce the closure. Of all the functions performed by wildlife enforcement agents, this one affects the health and well being of more people than any other. Should polluted oysters enter the market, many people can become sick and, in some cases, life threatening illnesses may occur.
Wildlife agents patrolling oyster waters must also see that many other regulations pertaining to oysters are enforced. These regulations include tagging requirements, refrigeration, size restrictions, harvest hours, required licenses and gear regulations.
In addition to these regulations, wildlife agents must protect oysters from theft. Much of Louisiana's prime oyster growing waters are under lease to private citizens. These water bottoms are carefully seeded with small oysters and managed by oyster farmers who invest significantly in this oyster crop. Theft of oysters can be devastating to the industry and to the department's oyster management program when oysters are taken illegally from state seed grounds.
The wildlife agents within the LDWF Enforcement Division who are primarily responsible for enforcement of oyster regulations are the members of the Oyster Strike Force (OSF). This small unit is made up of agents from the coastal areas of the state who concentrate their enforcement efforts in the state's prime oyster growing waters. The OSF is funded in part by oyster harvester license fees collected by the department.
Members of the OSF specialize in oyster regulations and are equipped with the tools needed to enforce oyster laws. Each agent is equipped with a shallow draft boat to maneuver in the shallow waters commonly found over oyster beds. They also are equipped with the latest in radio communications equipment, night vision binoculars, spotting scopes, Global Positioning Satellite Systems (G.P.S.), video cameras and many other necessary items.
Louisianians and people all over the world who enjoy tasty Louisiana oysters can dine in confidence, while the Enforcement Division's OSF is on patrol.
For more information, please email questions to Lt. Colonel Keith LaCaze klacaze@wlf.louisiana.gov.