County can't stop new oyster harvesting rules

            It seems there isn’t much the Franklin county commission can do to delay or stop new oyster harvesting rules that take effect this summer.   

Commissioners and the local oyster industry were recently made aware of stricter harvesting rules for the summer months designed to protect consumers from vibrio vulnificus.

The rules are being mandated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring marine organism; people can get it by eating raw shellfish or by getting seawater on an open wound.

It’s harmless to most people, but can be fatal for people with certain pre-existing health issues like cancer, diabetes or cirrhosis of the liver, or any disease that weakens the immune system.

The new time and temperature rules basically require that oysters be either at the dealer or iced down by 11 AM during the summer season.

Commissioners say there is no way oystermen can carry enough ice on their boats to meet the cooling requirements, and even if they could, they couldn’t afford the amount of ice it would take.

That means oystermen will only be allowed to work for a few hours each day during the summer months.

County Commissioners did request an extension for the new rules, but were told this week that there is not much hope that will happen.

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