The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is holding public workshops to gather input on updating rules for the regulation and management of commercial and recreational wild oyster harvest in Dixie, Levy, and Citrus counties.
Public feedback gathered during these workshops will help refine staff recommendations for Big Bend wild oyster regulations that will be considered by the Commission in 2027. During these workshops, staff will deliver a presentation on potential rule changes that include changing the unattached undersized tolerance to 11 oysters per bag and the attached undersized tolerance to 33 oysters per bag; establishing a regional endorsement requirement for commercial harvest; establishing a seasonal bag limit for recreational and commercial harvesters; changing the harvest season to be Oct. 1 through the end of Feb.; and requiring harvesters to report harvest.
Workshop dates, locations, and times are as follows:
- Monday, Oct. 26 – Suwannee 6 – 8 p.m. ET at the Salt Creek Restaurant & Marker 29, 23440 SE County Rd 349, Suwannee, FL 32692
- Thursday, Oct. 29 – Cedar Key 6 – 8 p.m. ET at the Cedar Key High School, 951 Whiddon Ave., Cedar Key, FL 32625
If you are unable to attend a workshop, you can view a recording of the workshop presentation after the workshops are complete by visiting MyFWC.com/SaltwaterWorkshops or going directly to the FWC Saltwater YouTube channel.
Public Comments can also be submitted by visiting MyFWC.com/Marine and selecting "Rulemaking: Submit a Comment/Attend a Workshop" under "Get Involved."