Shellfish seed transfers are a major concern for shellfish farmers, fishers, and resource managers worldwide because of the pathogens they may carry. Developing, understanding, following, and enforcing regulations can be a big impediment for all interested parties. The RSSBP was created to assist all parties involved with permitting transfers of bivalve shellfish seed for commerce, restoration and enhancement. The goal is to incentivize the movement of the most biosecure bivalve shellfish, namely larvae and young seed before they have had much opportunity to contract parasites and pathogens. The Core Elements of the RSSBP provide a science-based pathway to improved biosecurity with respect to pathogens that afflict shellfish.
With support from the NOAA Sea Grant Aquaculture HUBS program, the RSSBP has expanded to the Gulf of Mexico. ZOOM® meetings with representatives from each state agency were key to providing proper extension and outreach to the regulatory community while the Oyster South Symposium has provided a broader outreach effort to all key stakeholders as shellfish aquaculture develops along the northern Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana has integrated the RSSBP into their seed importation/transfer request policies as Mississippi and Alabama contemplate similar language. Texas and Florida have regulations that strictly regulate genetics which limits movements to stocks originating from within their respective state yet consider the program as a positive move towards biosecurity of disease during shellfish transfers.
More information is available at http://rssbp.org as the program continues to grow and mature with support from NOAA Aquaculture and USDA APHIS.