TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida wildlife officials are asking residents, oyster harvesters and other stakeholders in the Big Bend region to weigh in on how wild oyster harvesting should be managed in the future.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is holding a series of public workshops to gather input as it updates rules regulating and managing commercial and recreational wild oyster harvest in Dixie, Levy and Citrus counties.
During the workshops, FWC staff will review the resource status in the region, the history of the Big Bend oyster fishery, participation in the fishery and restoration efforts. The agency is also seeking feedback on potential management actions, including changes to wild oyster harvest seasons, harvest limits, reporting requirements, licensing and participation qualifications for commercial and recreational harvesters.
The workshops are scheduled for:
Monday, Aug. 31: Crystal River, 6-8 p.m. ET at the Coastal Region Library, 8619 W Crystal St., Crystal River, FL 34428.
Tuesday, Sept. 1: Cross City, 6-8 p.m. ET at the Dixie County Public Library, 16328 SE Hwy 19, Cross City, FL 32628.
Thursday, Sept. 3: Bronson, 6-8 p.m. ET at the UF/IFAS Bronson Extension Office, 625 N Hathaway Ave., Bronson, FL 32621.
People who cannot attend in person can watch a recording of the workshop presentation after the sessions conclude by visiting MyFWC.com/SaltwaterWorkshops or the FWC Saltwater YouTube channel.
Public comments can also be submitted online at MyFWC.com/Marine by selecting “Rulemaking: Submit a Comment/Attend a Workshop” under “Get Involved.”