Seafood workers Association Meeting draws large crowd

Close to 150 people turned out Monday at the Franklin County seafood Workers Association meeting to find out what’s being done to help local workers who are facing an uncertain future because of poor oyster crops.

There were so many people at the meeting it had to be held in the parking lot of the Eastpoint Fire House.

The biggest issue facing many local families is the lack of viable oysters on the winter bars – which was discovered when those bars opened on September the 1^st.

And seafood workers say the problem is not limited to oysters, but includes shrimp, crabs and many popular fish species.

Locally, the county commission has declared a local state of emergency in the hopes that will allow the county to tap in to state money to fund some rebuilding projects.

They also agreed to contact every state and federal legislator that deals with Franklin County to make sure they are aware of the issues currently impacting the seafood industry.

Governor Rick Scott is also seeking a federal disaster declaration for oyster harvesting waters in the state in the hopes that will free up federal assistance.

At this point, however, there is no assistance available.

Association President Shannon Hartsfield said the association is working hard to get some money for reshelling and the association signed up a number of people on Monday for future reshelling and relaying programs in the hopes the money will come through.

Workforce Florida along with other state agencies will also be at the Eastpoint Firehouse at 9 o’clock Friday morning to provide information and possible job assistance.

We have posted a youtube video of the seafood workers association meeting on Oyster Radios facebook page. 

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