Approved Winter East Shellfish Harvest Area of the Apalachicola Bay closed to oyster harvesting

More of the Apalachicola Bay was closed to oyster harvesting this weekend.

The Department of Agriculture closed the Approved Winter East Shellfish Harvest Area 1601 at sunset on Friday.

That area covers all of St. George Sound east of Eastpoint to Yent’s Bayou.

The closure was required because of high river levels.

The Apalachicola River is currently seeing moderate flooding along most of its length – there is a voluntary evacuation in effect for residents on the west side of Highway 65 from the Liberty County line to Eastpoint.

State officials will continue to take water samples from the area and will reopen it as soon as results show the water is safe for oyster harvesting.

To see a full list of closed areas you can find the Division of Aquaculture's Daily Status report at http://www.floridaaquaculture.com/ under the shellfish harvesting tab.

There is also a detailed pre-recorded message of open and closed shellfish harvest areas is available 24 hours a day by calling (850)653-8317.


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