Recreational Shellfish Harvesting

Allowable shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) harvesting areas are established and managed for public health purposes by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture. Shellfish harvesting areas are opened and closed in accordance with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program Guidelines, and the open or closed status applies to both recreational and commercial harvest. You may view maps of these areas and determine the open or closed status at: www.floridaaquaculture.com or get additional information by calling 850-488-5471.

Oysters

Min. Size Limit

Bag limit

Closed Seasons*

3 inches

2 bags per person or vessel, whichever is less, per day

(1 bag = 60 lbs., or two 5-gallon buckets, whole in shell)

June, July and August in Dixie, Levy and Wakulla counties

July, August and September all other counties

Apalachicola Bay (as defined in Rule 68B-27.013(1), F.A.C. ) has specific closed seasons as determined by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

*All harvest is also prohibited when shellfish harvesting areas are in the closed status as determined by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Clams

Min. Size Limit	Bag limit	Closed Seasons*
1-inch thick across the hinge	one 5-gallon bucket per person or two per vessel, whichever is less, per day.	None

*All harvest is also prohibited when shellfish harvesting areas are in the closed status as determined by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.