Oyster farmers question the reopening of bays after oil spill
By Travers Mackel
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TERREBONNE PARISH, Louisiana (WDSU) — Oyster farmers in Terrebonne Parish are questioning the state’s decision to reopen bays following a February oil spill, saying oil remains visible in their harvest areas.
At a packed meeting with the Louisiana Oyster Task Force, lifelong oyster farmer Brandon Hebert, who owns Brandon’s Quality Oysters in lower Terrebonne Parish, voiced his concerns to state health leaders.
“The state says they are safe, but I’m not eating them,” said Hebert.
Hebert shared videos of his harvest areas, showing oil still present.
The spill happened at the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, about 18 miles offshore, releasing approximately 750 barrels of oil into the Gulf.
State leaders addressed the issue, citing their sampling results, but oystermen at the meeting said more needs to be done to clean up the oil.
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