News Release: DEO, FDACS, FWC announce investment of $4.5 million to enlist oyster fishermen in continuing efforts to restore the Apalachicola oyster fishery

September 26, 2014

DEO, FDACS, FWC announce investment of $4.5 million to enlist oyster fishermen in continuing efforts to restore the Apalachicola oyster fishery

Oyster Beds to Remain Open as Winter Harvest Season Continues

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced today an investment of $4.5 million to expand funding for hand-shelling operations that capitalize on the expertise of local oyster fishermen to aggressively continue oyster bed restoration efforts.

Governor Scott said, “This funding will help to further restore the Apalachicola area, and will put Florida families in this region back to work. We must support the Floridians who provide for their families from the Apalachicola Bay, and those affected by the oyster fishery disaster.”

Hand shelling is the practice where oyster fishermen improve habitat conditions for oysters by using their boats and labor to place oyster shells or other materials on the oyster reefs providing a good place for a new crop of oysters to settle and grow. This targeted shelling will last through the end of the year and represents one of the largest shelling programs in the history of the fishery. Key investments like this are critical to the long-term health of oyster habitats that will be needed for a renewed and healthy oyster fishery. The funding for this program comes from a Federal Fishery Disaster grant that was granted in 2013 at the request of Gov. Scott.

As the winter harvest season for Apalachicola Bay oysters enters its second month, the FWC also announced the area’s oyster beds will remain open while agencies continue monitoring and assessments to determine additional measures needed to support recovery of the Apalachicola Bay ecosystem and oyster resources. Current information indicates continuation of limited harvesting of legal-sized oysters will not reduce the potential for longer-term recovery of oyster crops. The viability of keeping the oyster beds open, however, will continue to be examined throughout the winter harvest season.

The FWC and FDACS are continuing a close partnership with the DEO to jump-start a major $4.5 million hand-shelling program in October. This is in addition to FDACS’s efforts over the past two years to improve oyster habitat in Apalachicola Bay.

“The continued decline of oysters in Apalachicola Bay is a threat not only to the economy of north Florida but the entire state,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam. “We are committed to helping this community and working together to assist those families who are suffering from the decline in the oyster population.”

FWC Executive Director Nick Wiley said, “Today’s announcement furthers our commitment to working with the local oyster industry, particularly the hard-working oyster fishermen and processors who want to help restore and maintain the health of Apalachicola Bay so they can support their families.”

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “The investment into the recovery of the Apalachicola Bay Oyster Fishery and into the local experienced workforce is a win for this community. This habitat-restoration project is essential to the continued environmental and economic health of the area, and the expertise of the oyster fishermen will ensure the greatest return on investment for them and their families.”

Agencies are working in close partnership and listening to the Apalachicola community to help determine the best ways to provide assistance through these difficult and challenging times for the oyster industry.

In addition to the shelling program, the FWC has already put in place conservation measures for Apalachicola’s oyster fishery, including modified harvest limits and limited closures of the winter bars. As the shelling program proceeds and the restrictions are implemented, the FWC and FDACS will continue to closely monitor the health of the oyster fishery, the status of oyster harvesting and work hand-in-hand with the local community and oyster industry to determine if any additional actions are needed.

 

WBD/CRO