Starting June 1, Apalachicola oysters can be commercially harvested seven days a week throughout the year. Previously, commercial harvest was not allowed on Fridays and Saturdays from June 1 through Aug. 31 and on Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 1 through Nov. 15.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved this change at its February 2012 meeting.
This increased harvesting opportunity comes in response to public health management changes made by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 2010. These changes significantly reduced the number of hours available for harvest each day during the warmer months of the year. The seven-day work week will allow Apalachicola Bay oyster harvesters the ability to make up for time lost harvesting. This action by the FWC was supported by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
To learn more about the commercial oyster harvest, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Commercial” and then “Oyster.”
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
