John Mendoza, a field service engineer for Radio Holland, installs a vessel monitoring device on the oyster boat of Sam Slavich in Hopedale, LA. Mendoza installs numerous device each day on oyster boats that harvest on public lands. Photo: Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News
by Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News
Working closely with oyster industry leaders, a new pilot program has been developed to better manage the more than 1.6 million acres of public oyster beds.
The Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Pilot Program, developed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), is designed to collect data to better manage the resources on public oyster seed grounds.
Designed not be burdensome to harvesters, it requires oyster vessels fishing on the public seed grounds to have a VMS. New tracking units will be provided to all oyster permit holders by the department. The system, service and installation will not cost the vessel operator, except for minimal maintenance and care.
The state agency has contracted with Pole Star Space Applications to provide data collection services. The company will provide the VMS monitoring solution as well as coordinate with vessel owners to install the equipment.
Oyster Task Force support not unanimous
“The Oyster Task Force took a vote in favor of support of the installation of VMS devices,” said task force president John Tesvich, whose company Ameripure Oyster Company has already installed the devices on it’s two boats. “Our industry is changing, and the oyster bays of Louisiana reach from Mississippi to Texas. These beds need modern tools to effectively manage the precious resource.”
Oysterman Jakov Jurisic, has been a vocal opponent to the new requirement he sees as an invasion by “Big Brother”. Photo: Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News
The Oyster Task force vote was not unanimous. One member, oysterman Jakov Jurisic, has been a vocal opponent to the new requirement he sees as an invasion by “Big Brother”.
“I came to America from a communist country,” explained Jurisic, a Croatian from the former Republic of Yugoslavia. “I grew up with “Big Brother” looking over my shoulder. America is the greatest country in the world, we can’t let politicians continue to pass laws that violate our personal freedom.”
In addition to an invasion of privacy, he has deep concerns about the security of the system. Especially his information if a compromise occurs.
Installation of the system on his boat will have to wait for another year. “I am not scheduling the installation this year because of boat modifications.”
Better public oyster management
During the last legislative session, the Louisiana Legislature passed an act giving LDWF the authority to require VMS devices. This legislation was passed with the intention of enabling the department to better manage the public oyster resource.
Oyster harvesting in Louisiana is currently underway with all areas open, but Jurisic will not be entering state lands this year at all.
Although Jurisic might not be entering state waters without a VMS, there are already numerous boats that are – a growing percentage being poachers.
According to John Tesvish, president of the Oyster Task Force, “One of the reasons the task force approved support for the program is to give officials an effective tool in keeping unwanted harvesters from our fertile growing areas.” Photo: Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News
According to industry sources, poaching has become a “very large problem” hurting legitimate harvesters, processors and others in the industry. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited five men for alleged oyster violations in Terrebonne Parish in July of this year.
One of the aims of the VMS program is to cut down on a growing problem, while allowing for tougher enforcement. The penalty for the unlawful harvesting of oysters is a fine between $900 and $950, or imprisonment up to 120 days.
“I know a number of our members have voiced concerns about the system,” said Tesvich. “One of the reasons the task force approved support for the program is to give officials an effective tool in keeping unwanted harvesters from our fertile growing areas.”
“BP has invested heavily in helping the Louisiana seafood industry get back on its feet, and this is a tool that will help insure their money has not been wasted.”
Oyster harvesters to co-ordinate installation
Pole Star, along with their sub-contractor Radio Holland USA, will co-ordinate the installation effort for the oyster fleet.
Oyster vessels harvesting on public seed grounds must have the VMS unit, if they do not have a VMS unit currently they must notify LDWF installation has been scheduled.
More than 700 vessels are permitted to harvest on public oyster beds, providing more than one-third of the nation’s oyster crop.
All information collected by the new pilot program will be considered privileged and confidential and will not be made public. Vessels owners will be allowed to track their own vessels through onboard VMS monitoring.
Oyster harvesters needing to schedule VMS installation can contact Sam Boyd with Radio Holland USA at LDWF@radiohollandusa.com, or (713) 378-2145. More information is available at www.wlf.louisiana.gov.
The post New Louisiana Vessel Monitoring System Designed to Manage Public Oyster Seed Grounds appeared first on Louisiana Seafood News.