It is hard to just jump into this discussion without some background...
Molluscan shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) are the most highly regulated food protein in the US. Why? Because they are filter feeders and can be consumed raw or partially cooked. The harvesting, handling and distribution of molluscan shellfish is governed through the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC, see www.issc.org), which is comprised of the FDA, other federal agencies, state shellfish regulatory authorities (in FL, that is Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services, FDACS), and industry.
The ISSC implemented a plan in 2001 to reduce Vibrio vulnificus (Vv) risk related to consumption of raw oysters. Vv is a naturally occurring bacteria found in marine warm waters. Vv populations are highest during the warmer months. Concerns exists because a very small percentage of at-risk people (those whom are immuno-compromised) who eat raw shellfish can develop a severe and potentially fatal infection. Vv illnesses and deaths have been reported from Florida and other Gulf of Mexico states. A goal of 40% reduction of illnesses was set in 2005-6 and was achieved. A 60% reduction goal was then set in 2007-8, which was not achieved. (There was a 35% reduction in that year, 36% reduction in 2009 and 41% reduction in 2010). To achieve this goal the ISSC required Gulf states to implement additional controls in 2010-11. These new rules (see www.FloridaAquaculture.com/Rules and attached Word document) include use of cooling options onboard (not likely to be adopted by small-scale oyster harvesters), reductions in harvest times from April through November and a special license and tagging regime to control the harvest of oysters designated for shucking or post harvest processing (oysters harvested after designated times). Currently, no processors in the Cedar Key area have invested in post-harvest treatment of oysters. Two large shucking processors in the Panhandle use a rapid freezing protocol (not chemical) for post-harvest treatment, which does kill the oyster (see http://leavinsseafood.com). That means for our small industry to be in compliance, oysters must be harvested and delivered to wholesalers/processors within the new time/temperature matrix. For example, during the month of May, oysters must be at the processors by 11:30am, in Sept and Oct, the time is by 12:00 pm. (Remember our fishery is closed June through August.) Since our harvesters must also contend with the tides, this effectively means that harvesting has been reduced by 60-75%diuring these months. Chris Brooks is with the DACS Division of Aquaculture (Phone: 850-488-4033) and should be contacted for further info about these new harvesting rules. Regarding other comments to the letter below...Bill Pine is correct in stating that oyster supply has also been impacted overall by the DWH oil spill and its affect on the Louisiana populations...fortunately demand is still very good for Gulf oysters and other seafood...so prices do reflect supply and demand. Regarding the quality of the oysters, I cannot really comment. It is possible that the oysters this person ate were not even harvested from Cedar Key. The mild fall and lack of rainfall does influence the sensory characterization of oysters. Glycogen, or "fat," is stored during the winter months and gives oysters their taste and plumpness. However, the oysters that I took to family members over the holidays were excellent! As I commented last night over the phone, I will give you specifics at a latter date about the talk that Bill and his colleagues will be giving at the library next month regarding their work on oyster resources in this area. On a positive note, a pilot fishery enhancement program that has been undertaken over the past few years is showing signs of success (see 06.13.09 article I wrote for CKN). Clam shells are being collected at participating wholesalers and stored at a county site. In turn, they are being used in shell plantings being conducted by DACS staff. The clam shell is loaded on the small barge that is moored in the city marina and broadcasted at selected areas. The shell serves as "cultch" and provides suitable substrate for natural occurring oyster larvae. This management technique is very effective in Apalachicola where there is state-sponsored oyster shell collection program. It was not tried here because there was not a sufficient supply of oyster shell. More on this latter as DACS will complete a resource survey of these sites this spring. |
