Because they closed the reefs due to the spill and the oystermen went out anyway. They re-opened three reefs in Louisiana yesterday.
OK you eat oysters caught in the summer, I am not going to because vibro exists. My reason is a common sense rule that has been around forever (nothing to do with refrigeration) not a state OR federal law. The arrest were because of contamination from the oil spill you made it sound like it was a senseless law done for no good reason.