Because of their tendencies to harbor naturally occurring pathogens, oysters are perhaps the most regulated seafood. They are harvested from approved growing areas, which is mandated by state and federal requirements. To ensure public health and consumption safety, every sack of oysters is tagged at each step, starting on the boats. Tags indicate the oyster sack originated from an approved area and reef open for harvesting, date harvested, state of harvesting, location and area, harvester, identification number and dealer name. The origin of oyster sack is color-coded by state.
Oysters are the only seafood tracked so extensively.
These regulations have helped the industry because harvesters are taking correct precautions, which is helping Mississippi supply safe oysters, Fernandes said. The Gulf Coast Industry Initiative is a competitive grant awarded by the National Sea Grant and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Sea Grant protects the Great Lakes and oceans, while NOAA, a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, safeguards the environmental and economic well being of coastlines. Recommendations on this web site do not endorse any commercial products or trade names.