Topic: Seafood and Aquaculture

Researchers say enforcement of 3-inch minimum size for oysters is critical to Apalachicola Bay's recovery. Some oyster harvesters say they're struggling to make a living while facing tickets and fines. One wildlife officer says tacks were thrown in his driveway obviously in retaliation for law enforcement. ... Related Research: Letters, studies and news reports concerning Apalachicola Bay's oyster crisis.

The ACF Stakeholders group says it is finishing a proposed sustainable water-use plan for the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system. But the group wants the states that have been fighting over water use in court to agree not to use information in litigation or other purposes without the group's permission. ... Related Research: Jan. 2, 2014 Statement by Georgia EPD Director Jud Turner, and other documents.

Once bustling with small boats loaded with oysters, the now-quiet Eastpoint waterfront reflects Apalachicola Bay's diminishing harvest. To hold onto their remaining customers, seafood processing houses are shipping more oysters in from states including Texas and Maryland so they have shellfish to sell.

State officials have blamed drought and lack of water flowing from Alabama and Georgia in the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers for causing the decline in the bay's oyster population. Some seafood workers in Franklin County say they're looking for other jobs. ... Related Research: Nov. 15, 2013 FWC weekend closure announcement.

The Senate Committee on Agriculture also heard from the Apalachicola Riverkeeper group saying that Florida continues to issue agricultural water use permits while Georgia has issued a moratorium on them. "Our actions should show we are toeing that same line that we advocate Georgia should," the group's Dan Tonsmeire said.

After last week saying that water is an "inseparable force" in Florida's economic future, Putnam this week requested funding to expand Lake Okeechobee and springs protection programs. He also is requesting more than $6 million for restoring oyster reefs in the Florida Panhandle, including $930,000 to reassess restoration efforts in Apalachicola Bay.

Last week, Gov. Rick Scott accused Georgia of not negotiating in good faith about water from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system. Georgia responded that it offered a water agreement but Florida never responded. Neither state, however, will release records or provide details about the talks, citing a federal judge's order from 2010 maintaining confidentiality in a court case.

Gov. Rick Scott requested the declaration in September 2012 because the fishery was near collapse. U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will conduct a field hearing Tuesday in Apalachicola. Scott and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio also are scheduled to tour the area.

The report, issued in May by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and sent Monday to federal officials, shifts blame for the oyster population collapse to upstream water use and management of federal reservoirs. Gov. Rick Scott chimed in, "The federal government has done the wrong thing there, and its has been devastating to the citizens there and devastating to the oyster industry." ... Related Research: Letter from FWCC to National Marine Fisheries Service.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Miami, requested the hearing. "It is extremely important to the people of Florida that my colleagues are able to see firsthand the dire impacts the decreased water flows have had on what was once a vibrant, healthy bay, which is home to a booming oyster industry," he said. ... Related Research: May 15, 2013 U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio letter requesting Senate committee field hearing.

The Cabinet in June approved a request to allow floating oyster cages in a state aquaculture lease. Now some oyster harvesters are concerned there could be wider oyster farming in Apalachicola Bay, threatening the traditional harvest of wild oysters. ... Related Research: UF News: UF Oyster Recovery Team issues findings: Drought and salinity major issues, not oil, UF IFAS/Sea Grant report "Apalachicola Bay Situation Report," and related stories.

A speed-up for mental competency decisions, a public records exemption and a property tax exemption are blocked by Scott. Meanwhile, the governor signs bills concerning craft liquors sales and money to aid the oyster industry.

Gov. Rick Scott in September requested a federal fishery disaster declaration for Apalachicola Bay oysters because of overfishing and lack of freshwater flow. "There is no quarterback, that is your problem," UF professor of medicine Glenn Morris told the Senate Agriculture Committee. "You have multiple agencies involved. ... Everybody defers to somebody else in a tight situation." ... Related Research: Jan. 15, 2013 Senate Committee on Agriculture meeting packet.

In September, Gov. Rick Scott asked federal officials to declare a fisheries disaster in Apalachicola Bay, citing drought and over-harvesting of oysters. Some seafood workers say they suspect the 2010 Gulf oil spill is to blame but scientists say the workers are looking for someone to blame for a complex problem. ... Related Research: Executive letters related to the oyster industry and a presentation made to the state wildlife agency.