FWC to initiate check stations for oyster harvesters

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will initiate check stations for oystermen beginning in early November.

Check Stations haven’t been used since the mid-1980’s after the area was hit by a number of hurricanes.

The check stations will allow state officials to examine the oysters that have been harvested from the Apalachicola Bay to make sure they are legal size – which means they have to be at least 3 inches long.

FWC says that right now there are a lot of small oysters around East Hole and Cat Point, and very few oysters at all on the west end of the bay.

Because of that some oystermen are harvesting undersized oysters –and that is impacting how well the oyster population can rebound.

Not only does it remove oysters before they are ready to be harvested – but it also removes shell from the bay which is needed for the oyster spat to connect to.

To combat the problem, oystermen will soon be required to go through one of two check stations every day.

The stations will be set up at Lombardi’s seafood park in Apalachicola and at the Eastpoint boat ramp on Patton Drive.

Check station workers will then examine one or more bags of oysters from each boat to make sure they are legal size.

Once the oysters have been checked, they will be tagged and oyster dealers will only be allowed to purchase oysters with the special tag.

Oystermen will have to go through the check stations by 4 PM each day.

FWC says the check stations will begin in early November and continue through March.

Commissioner Cheryl Sanders said the check stations were instrumental in the bay’s recovery when Hurricanes Kate and Elena hit the area.

Commissioners said they support the move because it will help the bay recover while still allowing oystermen to go to work. 

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