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Jindal: Let Them Eat Oysters
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Candidate
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| Contributor | None Entered |
| Last Edited | None Entered Jul 03, 2005 02:33am |
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| Category | Press Release |
| News Date | Wednesday, June 29, 2005 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Congressman Bobby Jindal (LA-01) introduced legislation to amend the Endangered Species Act to allow regional classification of the eastern oyster. The bill will allow oysters in the Gulf of Mexico to be considered separately from oysters in the Chesapeake Bay, where their population has been dwindling.
Gulf oysters are thriving, making them a staple of the shell fishing industry and a regular on restaurant menus across the state. However, efforts are underway to get oysters added to the endangered species list due to shrinking numbers in the Chesapeake. Such a reclassification, without the Jindal amendment, would apply to all eastern oysters, preventing their collection and devastating the oyster industry and other marine industries in the Gulf region.
"The shell fishing industry represents a major part of Louisiana's economy," Jindal said. "This loophole in the Endangered Species Act threatens to decimate that industry through a shortsighted protection effort. Though attempts to protect Chesapeake oysters should be supported, without the legislation I have proposed Louisiana and the Gulf States stand to suffer greatly. We can not allow that to happen."
The legislation, which is expected to be referred to the Committee on Resources of which Congressman Jindal is a member, changes the Endangered Species Act to allow the Eastern Oyster to be granted the same regional classification capabilities that are now granted to vertebrates. The effect of the amendment is to allow for eastern oysters that are struggling in one area, such as the Chesapeake Bay, to be protected, while the same species that is thriving elsewhere is not subject to the overly stringent restrictions placed upon it. Chesapeake Bay oysters could be brought back from near extinction while Gulf oysters would still be available for consumption.
"This is common sense legislation," Jindal continued. "Anybody who spends time off of Louisiana's shores can recognize that these oysters are not endan |
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