Commercial oyster harvesting is set to resume in Florida’s once-lucrative Apalachicola Bay after state regulators determined that shellfish have adequately recovered.
“Apalachicola’s oyster industry has been the cornerstone of Florida’s seafood economy for generations,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in a release. “No place knows oysters better than Apalachicola, which has historically produced more than 90 percent of Florida’s oysters. I look forward to continuing to invest in restoration activities that support the long-term restoration of Apalachicola Bay and the communities who rely on it.”
Though the bay at one point provided 10 percent of all oysters consumed in the United States, the bay was closed to oyster harvesting in 2020 after the shellfish population plummeted. However, in August of this year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) determined that the bay had sufficiently recovered to support both commercial and recreational oyster harvesting in 2026.
The FWC has now approved a revised oyster management plan for Apalachicola Bay
“We have seen an increase in oyster populations in Apalachicola Bay in recent years,” Northwest Florida Water Management District Executive Director Lyle Seigler said in a release. “It is certainly welcome news for the coastal communities in Northwest Florida to learn oyster harvesting will return to the Bay.”
The first season in the bay will begin 1 January 2026 and run through 28 February. Subsequent seasons will run from October through February. Those wanting to harvest commercially will need to obtain a Commercial Apalachicola Bay (AB) Endorsement. The application period for the first season opened 10 November and will close 16 December.
“Through careful management and continued investments in restoration activities, Florida is ensuring that Apalachicola’s iconic oysters can once again thrive, now and for generations to come,” Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis Lambert said in a release.
