MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Hewes, Gollott, Woodfield, Posey, Cuevas, Stogner, Moffatt, Dickerson, Robertson, Lee

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TO PROVIDE AID TO THOSE OYSTER HARVESTERS DEVASTATED BY THE RED TIDE DISASTER. 

WHEREAS, a disastrous natural occurrence has recently taken place along our Mississippi Gulf Coast and this disaster required the complete closure of all Mississippi oyster beds due to the occurrence of red tide (Gymnodinium breve); and

WHEREAS, red tide is a toxic alga that can be absorbed by oysters, and people who eat these oysters may become ill; and

WHEREAS, concentrations of the red tide organism were in numbers sufficient to cause a public health risk and consistent with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program and U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, all of Mississippi oyster growing waters were closed on November 7, 1996, and remain closed due to continued high concentrations of the red tide toxins in oyster meats; and

WHEREAS, this closure has affected some 200 oyster fishermen and approximately 100 seafood dealers and processors; and

WHEREAS, the magnitude of the economic loss to the oyster industry is yet to be determined, since the oyster reefs remain closed to harvest as a result of red tide.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Legislature of Mississippi does urge and request that the U.S. Department of Commerce provide financial aid to these impacted oyster harvesters and seafood dealers and processors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Mississippi Congressional Delegation.