SUBPART D. OYSTERS AND OYSTER INDUSTRIES

§421. Oyster Task Force

            A. There is hereby established the Oyster Task Force to study and monitor the molluscan industry and to make recommendations for the maximization of benefit from that industry for the state of Louisiana and its citizens.

            B. The task force shall be composed as follows:

            (1) The governor's executive assistant for coastal activities or his designee.

            (2) Two members appointed by the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

            (3) One member appointed by the secretary of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources.

            (4) One member appointed by the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.

            (5) Four members appointed by the Louisiana Oyster Dealers and Growers Association. Two members appointed under the provisions of this Paragraph shall be selected at-large. Of the other two members, one shall be from Jefferson Parish and one shall be selected from either Lafourche or Terrebonne Parish.

            (6) Two members appointed by the Plaquemines Oyster Association.

            (7) One member appointed by the Terrebonne Oyster Association.

            (8) One member appointed by the Cameron Parish police jury who is a properly licensed oyster harvester with documented commercial landings of oysters from Calcasieu Lake, or a properly licensed seafood dealer with documented commercial purchases of oysters from Calcasieu Lake during the current or preceding license year of appointment as per records of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

            (9) One member appointed by the Southwest Pass Oyster Leaseholder Association.

            (10) Two members appointed by the United Commercial Fisherman's Association.

            (11) One member appointed by the Delta Commercial Fisherman's organization.

            (12) One member who has voting authority and is an oyster grower appointed by the president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.

            (13) One member appointed by the Louisiana Oyster Aquaculture Association.

            (14) One member appointed by the executive director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

            (15) One member appointed by the Louisiana Oystermen Association.

            C. The members appointed under the provisions of Paragraphs (B)(1) through (4) and (14) of this Section shall be nonvoting members. However, they shall be considered members of the task force for determination of the number of members necessary for a quorum and for establishing the presence of a quorum.

            D. The task force shall adopt bylaws under which it shall operate, and seven members of the task force shall constitute a quorum sufficient to conduct meetings and business of the task force. The task force shall elect a chairman from its membership and may seek and receive assistance from universities within the state in the development of methods to increase production and marketability of molluscan shellfish. The members of the task force shall serve without compensation; however, the task force may receive the same reimbursement of travel expenses for attending the meetings as is allowed for other state employees' travel.

            E. The task force is hereby charged with responsibility to do the following:

            (1) Monitor the water quality and management requirements of the state's molluscan shellfish propagating areas.

            (2) Coordinate efforts to increase oyster production and salability.

            (3) Study the decline in molluscan shellfish salability, the degradation of water quality which could adversely affect consumer health, and the reasons for such declines and degradations, and make recommendations to resolve such problems.

            (4) Make recommendations with respect to issues pertaining to the oyster industry and oyster production to the various state agencies charged with responsibility for differing elements of the oyster industry in this state, including the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Department of Energy and Natural Resources, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, the Louisiana Department of Health, the governor's executive assistant for coastal activities, and the legislature.

            (5) Employ such personnel as necessary.

            (6) Develop markets and marketing strategies for the development of new and expanded markets for Louisiana oysters.

            (7) Represent the interests of the Louisiana oyster industry before federal and state administrative and legislative bodies on issues of importance to the Louisiana oyster industry.

            (8) Contract for legal services to represent the interests of the Louisiana oyster industry in judicial, administrative, and legislative proceedings.

            (9) Administer the funds in the Oyster Development Fund.

            (10) Perform any acts deemed necessary and proper to carry out its duties and responsibilities.

            F. The activities of the Oyster Task Force shall be funded through the Oyster Development Fund as provided in R.S. 56:10(B)(1)(a)(ii).

            Acts 1999, No. 439, §2; Acts 2003, No. 278, §1; Acts 2008, No. 103, §1; Acts 2009, No. 523, §4, eff. July 10, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 264, §1; Acts 2012, No. 604, §4, eff. June 7, 2012; Acts 2013, No. 228, §2, eff. July 1, 2013; Acts 2022, No. 380, §1; Acts 2023, No. 150, §22, eff. Jan. 10, 2024.