<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 10.15.07.06" title_num="10" subtitle_num="15" chapter_num="07" heading="Vibrio parahaemolyticus Control.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A dealer and a shellfish aquaculture harvester permittee shall implement control measures as set forth in §B of this regulation to reduce the occurrence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus illness.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Control Measures.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>From June 1 through September 30, a shellfish aquaculture harvester permittee shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Protect harvested oysters from direct sun by providing shade over the area where the harvested oysters are stored;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Maintain air flow to the area where the harvested oysters are stored;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Designate a single site for landing the harvested oysters;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Document the harvest start time, which is the time the first oysters are removed from the water, on a harvest trip record or harvest tag; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Provide the harvest time record as set forth in §B(1)(d) of this regulation to a dealer on delivery.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>From June 1 through June 30, a shellfish aquaculture harvester permittee shall deliver harvested oysters to a dealer by 11:30 a.m. on the day of harvest.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>From July 1 through August 31, a shellfish aquaculture harvester permittee shall deliver harvested oysters to a dealer by 10:30 a.m. on the day of harvest.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>From September 1 through September 30, a shellfish aquaculture harvester permittee shall deliver harvested oysters to a dealer by 12:30 p.m. on the day of harvest.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>From June 1 through September 30, a dealer may not:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Receive oysters harvested from Maryland waters:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>After the harvest delivery times set forth in §B(2)—(4) of this regulation; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Without a harvest time record as set forth in §B(1)(d) of this regulation; or</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Sell or ship oysters that have not reached an internal temperature of 50°F (10°C) or below.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>From June 1 through September 30, a dealer shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Place oysters under temperature control immediately upon delivery from the shellfish aquaculture harvester permittee: and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Implement a HACCP plan as defined in COMAR 10.15.04 that recognizes pathogen growth of naturally occurring Vibrio bacteria present from June through September 30 as a significant hazard and includes:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Control measures necessary to ensure, document, and verify that the internal temperature of oysters has reached 50°F (10°C) or below within 10 hours or less after being placed under temperature control; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Corrective action to ensure that oysters that are not cooled to an internal temperature of 50°F (10°C) within 10 hours are not directed to the raw shellfish market.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>To comply with §B(6) of this regulation, a dealer shall ensure that a temperature control mechanism for cooling and storing of oysters:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Maintains a temperature of 45°F; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Cools oysters to an internal temperature of 50°F (10°C) in 10 hours or less.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>A shellfish aquaculture harvester permittee who is a dealer shall comply with the requirements set forth in §B(1)—(7) of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>The Department may except a shellfish aquaculture harvester permittee who is a dealer from the harvest delivery times set forth in §B(2)—(4) and the receiving time set forth in §B(5)(a)(i) of this regulation if the permittee/dealer:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Places harvested oysters under temperature control within 5 hours of harvest start time, which is the time the first oysters are removed from the water; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Implements an HACCP plan as defined in COMAR 10.15.04 that includes the control measures necessary to ensure, document, and verify that the harvested oysters are placed under temperature control within 5 hours of harvest start time.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>