April 28, 2014 — Four funds aimed at helping Apalachicola Bay communities that produce 85% of Florida oysters recover from the collapse of the oyster harvesting industry have been announced.
Florida Governor Rick Scott announced the projects that he is recommending to receive disaster assistance funding. Last month the governor announced the awarded $6.3 million in disaster assistance funding following his request for a commercial fishery failure.
“I am excited to recommend these projects that will share $6.3 million to help restore economic vitality and provide relief to the oystermen and their families who have endured such hardship in the Apalachicola Bay area,” said Scott. “ In addition to bolstering their industry, this funding will be used to provide vocational and educational training for oystermen and their families so they are able to support their families for generations to come.”
According to Bob Jones, chairman of Florida based Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation; the federal aid needs to be supplement with more fresh water from Florida’s rivers.
“With this generous federal aid and the hope of getting more freshwater from the north, our Apalachicola Bay oyster industry can maintain its status as producing one of the best tasting oysters on the planet,” he said. “”The job-protecting recommendations by Governor Scott to the Apalachicola Bay oyster industry will succeed if there are continuous law enforcement efforts to prevent illegal harvesting, either from closed areas or taking undersized oysters.
Read the full story at Gulf Seafood News