House Adopts Byrne Amendment Supporting Gulf Coast Oysters

The House of Representatives today approved an amendment from Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) calling for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to perform a Gulf Coast Oyster Bed Recovery Assessment.

Byrne’s amendment to the Water Resources and Development Act was adopted by a voice vote. Final passage on the legislation is expected later this evening.

The oyster industry in Alabama and across the Gulf Coast has been negatively impacted by a range of issues dating back to Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill. Recent flooding has also negatively impacted Gulf oyster beds.

A transcript of Congressman Byrne’s remarks in support of his legislation can be found below.

Byrne said: “My straightforward amendment calls for the Army Corps of Engineers to perform a Gulf Coast Oyster Bed Recovery Assessment.

“Over the last twenty years, the oyster industry on the Gulf Coast has faced some serious challenges.

“Hurricane Katrina destroyed so many of our oyster reefs. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill blanketed many oyster growing areas and resulted in substantial harvest reductions.

“More recently, flooding in 2011 and earlier this year produced increased freshwater discharges into many parts of the Gulf and threw off the mix of fresh and saltwater that oysters need to thrive. 

“In 2001, oyster landings in the Gulf totaled 25.5 million pounds. In 2014, which is the most recent data available, oyster landings in the Gulf were down to 19.9 million. This is a dangerous decline that really impacts our oystermen and the overall coastal economies.

“This industry is especially important for the Gulf Coast. The oyster industry generated nearly $100 million in oyster landings by fishermen in the Gulf States in 2014.

“And we aren’t just talking about the oystermen themselves. Having a successful oyster industry also benefits processors, restaurants, transportation, tourism, wholesalers, and retailers.

“Mr. Chairman, I have visited with our local oystermen, and they are really struggling. It is heartbreaking to hear their stories. This is their livelihood, but also a way of life for these Americans. We can and we must do more to support their industry.

“My amendment would pave the way for a partnership between the Army Corps of Engineers and the Gulf States to explore ways to improve future prospects for oysters. The assessment will address the beneficial use of dredged material in providing substrate for oyster bed development.

“Similar work has been done with the oyster industry in the Chesapeake Bay, and it has been a great success.

“I also want to point out that improving the oyster beds on the Gulf will also benefit the ecosystem and environment as a whole. As filter feeders, oysters provide significant water quality benefits and as important prey species they support finfish such as redfish and other species further up the food chain.

“States have already been working to improve conditions for the oyster industry through the use of BP settlement money, but further partnerships with the Army Corps of Engineers will go a long way.

“I appreciate Chairman Shuster and his staff for working with me on this amendment, and for all his work on the underlying bill.

“Ultimately, I urge my colleagues to stand up for our Gulf Coast oystermen and support my amendment.”