Purpose


The purpose of this rule development is to require commercial clam harvesters to complete an annual training course outlining proper harvest, handling, and transportation practices for clams and obtain a no-cost Shellfish Harvest endorsement in association with their Saltwater Products License (SPL) before harvesting or possessing clams for commercial purposes or selling hard clams. The Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) provides state shellfish programs with sanitation guidelines for the harvest, processing, and shipping of shellfish. States are subsequently reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration to determine if the state’s programs and regulations are consistent with these guidelines. The ISSC recently mandated that states develop and implement a training program outlining proper harvest, handling, and transportation practices for commercial shellfish harvesters. This training is required to be completed prior to the issuance or renewal of a commercial license. In order to implement this recommendation, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has developed training courses in proper oyster and hard clam harvest and post-harvest practices that will be offered each year to harvesters of these species. SPL applicants who demonstrate completion of the appropriate course will qualify to receive or renew the Shellfish Harvest endorsement. The effect of this rule will be to establish the Shellfish Harvest endorsement in order to comply with the recent Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) mandate requiring states to develop and implement a training program outlining proper harvest, handling, and transportation practices for commercial shellfish harvesters.