Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 51 - PUBLIC HEALTH-SANITARY CODE
Part IX - Marine and Fresh Water Animal Food Products
Chapter 3 - Preparation and Handling of Seafood for Market
Section IX-303 - Constr uction and Cleanliness of Shellfish Boats [formerly paragraph 9:006]

A. All boats utilized for the harvesting or transporting of shellfish shall be provided with a false deck or bottom to prevent the contamination of shellfish with bilge water. For the purpose of this regulation, bilge water may be defined as any water that collects in the lowest inner part of a boat's hull. Decks, holds or binds used for storage of shellfish shall be washed daily with either potable water, or water drawn from an approved growing area or Conditionally Approved area in open status. Unless otherwise exempted in writing by the Louisiana Department of Health, a suspended awning shall be provided on harvest boats to protect shellfish from direct exposure to sun, birds and other adverse conditions. The suspended awning shall be a minimum of 12 inches above the shellfish with a maximum height of 7 feet. The suspended awning shall be of such width and length so as to extend to the outer edges of the harvesting or transporting vessel. The provisions of this rule shall apply to all types of harvesting and transporting vessels. Small children in diapers, dogs, cats or other forms of wildlife shall not be permitted on board harvesting vessels while shellfish are being fished or transported. Violation of any of the requirements in this Section shall result in one of the following penalties.