House Bill No. by Representative Orgeron amends R.S. 56:449(C) to enhance the regulations surrounding the tagging of oysters and other molluscan species harvested from Louisiana waters. The bill retains existing requirements that all oysters and molluscan species taken for sale must be tagged prior to removal from the fishing vessel, with tags containing information mandated by the Louisiana Department of Health and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Additionally, it stipulates that oysters must be containerized and tagged immediately upon arrival at the dock before shipment.

The key addition in this bill is the establishment of a bulk tagging process specifically for alternative oyster cultivation. This new provision allows for a bulk tag to represent all oysters on board a vessel while they are being transported from the harvest area to the dockside facility. This change aims to streamline the tagging process for bulk harvesting, thereby facilitating alternative methods of oyster cultivation while ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.

Statutes affected:
HB889 Original: 56:449(C)