TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida wildlife officials are asking oyster harvesters and other residents along the Big Bend to weigh in on possible changes to how wild oysters are managed in the region.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is holding public workshops to gather input on updating rules for the regulation and management of commercial and recreational wild oyster harvest in Dixie, Levy and Citrus counties.
Feedback collected during the workshops will be used to refine staff recommendations for Big Bend wild oyster regulations that are expected to go before the commission in 2027.
FWC staff plan to present potential rule changes that include changing the unattached undersized tolerance to 11 oysters per bag and the attached undersized tolerance to 33 oysters per bag; establishing a regional endorsement requirement for commercial harvest; establishing a seasonal bag limit for recreational and commercial harvesters; changing the harvest season to be Oct. 1 through the end of February; and requiring harvesters to report harvest.
The workshops are scheduled for:
Monday, Oct. 26, from 6-8 p.m. ET at the Salt Creek Restaurant & Marker 29, 23440 SE County Road 349, Suwannee, FL 32692.
Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6-8 p.m. ET at Cedar Key High School, 951 Whiddon Ave., Cedar Key, FL 32625.
People who cannot attend can watch a recording of the workshop presentation after the workshops are complete by visiting MyFWC.com/SaltwaterWorkshops or the FWC Saltwater YouTube channel.
Public comments also can be submitted at MyFWC.com/Marine by selecting “Rulemaking: Submit a Comment/Attend a Workshop” under “Get Involved.”