Oysters

On "Florida Matters," we hear from two WUSF journalists about their reporting — from local residents experiencing flooding months after Hurricane Milton to the restoration of a local spoil island in the Hillsborough River.

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

Volunteers have been busy building up natural seawalls on one of the spoil islands in the middle of the bay. They're helping restore part of one of the most important rookeries in the state.

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."

The recall issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services comes after more than 40 cases of gastrointestinal illnesses were reported in Texas and Florida.

The conservationist describes the effect of climate change and hurricanes on oystering and explains the far-reaching economic impact of Florida’s oyster industry,

Florida’s estuaries once teemed with clams, oysters and other bivalves that helped keep waters clean and seagrasses healthy. By the mid-20th century, only a fraction of the state’s vast shellfish beds and reefs remained. Can a small clam make a big difference in serious water pollution hotspots like the Indian River Lagoon?

The 156 oysters were sampled from Biscayne Bay — which showed the highest number — along with Tampa Bay and Marco Island.

Included in the budget is $35 million for a "Sports Training and Youth Tournament Complex" that potentially could be used to bring the Rays to Pasco County for spring training.

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

Researchers continue their efforts to help the Apalachicola Bay’s oyster industry recover. Now a team from Florida State University is experimenting with different materials to see which is best for repopulating oyster habitats.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote in Thursday’s ruling that Florida did not prove Georgia’s water use had caused damage in the bay and the Apalachicola River.