FWC continues to crack down on illegal oystering

Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission say they are finding plenty of oystermen working waters where they shouldn’t be.

Last week FWC Officers issued nine misdemeanor citations for the harvest of oysters from conditionally restricted waters, unshaded oysters, and untagged bags of oysters.

The 11 bags of oysters seized during these efforts were returned to the restricted waters alive, keeping them from the consumer shellfish market and preventing the health-related issues that can arise from ingesting tainted shellfish.

In a separate incident officers also cited two subjects harvesting oysters in conditionally closed waters.

Officers set up surveillance, and after gathering enough evidence conducted a vessel stop on the oyster boat.

The subjects were charged for oystering in conditionally closed waters, and the oysters were seized and returned back to the bay.

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