Marine Fisheries Workshops

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting in-person public workshops to collect public input on the management of wild oyster harvest in the Big Bend, specifically Levy, Dixie and Citrus counties. Updates to the rules for wild oyster harvest in this region are needed because multiple research efforts have documented declines in oyster populations in this region, and the current regulations do not match the state of the resource. 

FWC is seeking input on the current state of the resource and potential management strategies, and all stakeholders with an interest in Big Bend oyster populations are invited to join us at an upcoming public workshop: 

During these public workshops, staff will review the resource status in the region, the history of the Big Bend oyster fishery, participation in the fishery, and restoration efforts. The workshop will allow the public to ask questions about the Big Bend oyster resource and potential management changes. The public will also have the opportunity to comment on potential management actions, including changes to wild oyster harvest seasons, harvest limits, reporting requirements, licensing, and participation qualifications for commercial and recreational harvesters.   

Feedback from these public workshops will help shape staff recommendations for Big Bend wild oyster regulations that will be considered by the Commission. Additional public workshops will be held on the staff recommendations prior to the public hearing where they will be considered by the Commission. 

For details about Commission meetings, visit MyFWC.com/About/Commission/Commission-Meetings. To submit a written comment about Big Bend wild oyster management, please visit the FWC Saltwater Comments webpage, or email Marine@MyFWC.com. 

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Division of Marine Fisheries Management at 850-487-0554 or Marine@MyFWC.com.