Apalachicola Bay

From sponges to timber to oysters, the Forgotten Coast has proved adaptable — can it again?

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has approved a management plan for a partial reopening for wild oyster harvesting at the beginning of January

Residents of Franklin County gathered to celebrate Gov. Ron DeSantis' recent signing of a law that bans drilling within 10 miles of the Apalachicola River Basin.

During their meeting Thursday, commissioners agreed to open a limited 94-acre harvesting area to any fisher that qualifies.

A "lottery" has been suggested to limit permits. Restrictions could also include a harvesting season from October through February and more.

Uthmeier says he'll refer the matter to Florida's DOGE to see if there's been financial mismanagement

Their bills would put rules in place for oil companies that drill for oil and gas near vulnerable bodies of water.

“The people of the Gulf Coast know what can happen when you have accidents with oil.”

While oyster harvesting there was halted in 2020, officials say reviving the industry would help the area's economy. It would resume in 2026.

The Apalachicola River and Bay have taken several hits—from major storms, to a “water war” between Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

After years of struggling from both natural and manmade disasters, the bay is beginning to show signs of recovery. Both the water and the oysters are "in recovery mode."

Apalachicola Bay's wild oysters are showing signs they could rebound after years of decline. But the oyster's recovery is still fragile.