FWC seeks federal money for Apalachicola Bay restoration

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is seeking federal funding to help restore the Apalachicola Bay for oyster harvesting.

Franklin County received a declaration of fishery failure for the oyster industry earlier this year.

As a result, the FWC has made a request to the US Secretary of Commerce for Federal Fishery Disaster Assistance Funding.

They are asking for nearly $52 million dollars over 4 years for the restoration of approximately 2400 acres of oyster harvesting areas in the Bay.

The money would pay for shells and labor to reshell about half of the oyster harvesting areas currently in use.

County Administrative Director Alan Pierce said the funding will rely on congressional approval.

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