4 °C - the National Sea Grant Library

Performance measures to judge the success of t
This step will be addressed in 1995/96 by a co
representatives in order that the matrix can be e
Communication Moore, 1995). This future control shoul
Gulf states during 1996.
What can be seen from this short chronology of events is that health officials, and
the shellfish industry have been struggling with Vibrio vulnificus and raw shellfish
eoIlsumption for nearly a decade. Debate has raged on whether this condition is a public
health problem or a personal health problem, This debate will continue. What becomes
evident, as Eldein (1988) states, is “The choice confronting politician and policymakers is
not 'What are the right things to do?' but rather 'What might serve as a basis for common
action of people with widely differing goals, values, and perceptions?'" Eldein continues
that “Despite the fact that information is always incomplete, bad, or just not available ,
decisions have to be made: problems have to be confronted even though knowledge is
imperfect."
It remains a question, whether or not the consumers of this nation are demanding
protection from oysters in the raw form. What does appear from testimony at the 1994
Vibdo workshop, is that consumer advocates wish that consumers are given the information
to make informed decisions themselves (1994 Vibrio vulnificus workshop transcript, page
229). This can best be done through both directed and general education materials to
consmners.