Fish-and-Wildlife stipulation opens limited recreational oystering; county to receive restoration support

GULF COUNTY, Fla. — County counsel and commissioners said Oct. 28 that Florida Fish & Wildlife has agreed to a stipulated settlement opening limited areas of Apalachicola Bay to recreational oystering and committing funds and staff time to restoration and monitoring in Gulf County.

County counsel said the stipulated order accepted by the court ends the county—s active litigation on that issue and includes a commitment from Fish & Wildlife to hold workshops in the county, to engage local fishermen, and to begin spending appropriations and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) funds on local restoration activities.

Why it matters: Local oystermen and coastal businesses have pressed for restoration and managed reopening of some bay areas for recreational harvest. Counsel said Fish & Wildlife—s reopening will be limited and will include harvesting rules intended to keep the fishery sustainable while targeted restoration work and quarterly monitoring are put in place.

Details: Counsel said one local concern remains the selection of restoration sites and recommended continuing to involve long-time, local oystermen and fishermen in restoration planning. The county expects Fish & Wildlife staff to work with the county—s tourism development and other stakeholders to educate the public about harvest rules and monitoring.

What commissioners did: The commission received the update and requested that staff and counsel maintain close coordination with Fish & Wildlife and local stakeholders as restoration and monitoring plans are developed and executed.

Ending: Counsel and commissioners said they will invite Fish & Wildlife to report progress and monitoring results to the commission on a quarterly basis.