Governor Rick Scott signs bill allowing mechanical oyster harvesting devices in the Apalachicola Bay

                Governor Rick Scott this week signed a law that will allow mechanical harvesting devices on certain oyster bars in the Apalachicola Bay.

The governor signed Senate Bill 1318 on Tuesday.

That bill does away with the requirement that all oyster harvesting in the Apalachicola Bay be done with hand tongs.

Under the new law, which takes effect on June the 1st, the state could allow mechanical harvesting devices like dredges to harvest oysters and clams on certain aquaculture and shellfish leases.

The leaseholder will have to request permission to use mechanical harvesting methods and approval would be given on a case by case basis.

People violating the law could lose their lease or the right to use mechanical harvesting devices in the future. 

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