Florida Closes Apalachicola Bay Until 2025 to Conserve Oysters

December 17, 2020 Associated Press

Because of a dwindling oyster population, a Florida agency voted unanimously Wednesday to shut down oyster harvesting in Apalachicola Bay through the end of 2025, dealing a blow to an area that historically produced 90% of the state’s oysters and 10% of the nation’s.

Apalachicola Bay oysters could be off the menu for up to five years

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission unanimously agreed Wednesday to issue an order that will ban the harvesting of wild oysters starting Aug. 1 from Apalachicola Bay as part of a $ 20 million restoration effort.