State Wraps up Oyster License Sales

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have sold 1,135 Apalachicola Bay oyster harvesting license, just slightly under last year's total.
The deadline passed on Monday, and now the price has risen from $100 to $600 due to a $500 late fee.
As of Friday the department had sold just 885. "We sold 250 yesterday. Everybody came in the last three days basically," said Joe Shields, environmental administrator. "I was really surprised, especially because of the fact we have increasing gas prices as well as a steady or decreasing oyster bag price.
"These guys are going out there and working harder for less money," he said.
In recent years, license holders have dropped to as few as 600, but it now appears to have rebounded.
Harvesters are facing a rule change this summer, as they now can only work five hours per day on the water, down from six, during the summer harvesting season.
"Instead of the old six hours, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has dropped to five hours, from the time tongs hit the water to when they get stuff back to the processing plant," said Shields.
The upcoming oyster relays start Friday July 11, and will run from the jetties to Two-Mile, said Shields.
For more information, call Shields at 653-8317 or the Franklin County Seafood Workers Association at 653-1221.