Daily Open/Closed Status of Shellfish Harvest Areas for the Western Gulf:

From Pensacola Bay in Escambia County to East Bay in Bay County

 

 

This table of open/closed status was published at 3:40 PM CDT October 26, 2024 and will remain in effect until there is a change in status. Closures become effective at sunset and re-openings become effective at sunrise.

 

Commercial shellfish harvesters must abide by all monthly harvest time/temperature regulations pursuant to Rule 5L-1.

 

Daily status is also available from the Western Gulf Coast field office located in Panama City by calling 850-236-2200     

                                                                                                            

For FWC Commercial Regulations please visit https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/commercial/oysters/

For FWC Recreational Regulations please visit http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/shellfish/

 

Harvest of any shellfish species is prohibited year-round in waters not meeting approved or conditionally approved classification, including any unclassified waters. For classification maps please visit https://www.fdacs.gov/Agriculture-Industry/Aquaculture/Shellfish-Harvesting-Area-Classification/Shellfish-Harvesting-Area-Information and click on area number of interest.

 

The harvest of wild oysters is prohibited per FWC July 1st through September 30th except in Wakulla, Dixie and Levy counties harvest areas where the harvest of wild oysters is closed June 1st through August 30th. Open/Close status during these months are for aquaculture leases and wild clam harvest only.

 

Pensacola Bay System SHA# 02

 

Status

Date

Reason/Notes

 

0222 Escambia Bay

Conditionally Approved

Public Reefs

OPEN

 

10/05/2024

 

 

 

Leases

OPEN

 

10/05/2024

 

 

 

0232 East Bay

Conditionally Approved

Public Reefs

OPEN

 

10/01/2024

 

 

 

Leases

OPEN

 

09/21/2024

 

 

 

Choctawhatchee SHA# 06

Status

Date

Reason/Notes

 

0622 Choctawhatchee Bay Central

Conditionally Approved

 

OPEN

 

10/01/2024

 

 

 

0632 Choctawhatchee Bay Eastern

Conditionally Approved

 

OPEN

 

10/07/2024

 

 

 

West Bay SHA #08

 

Status

Date

Reason/Notes

 

0822 West Bay

Conditionally Approved

Public Reefs

OPEN

 

10/05/2024

 

 

 

Leases

OPEN

 

10/05/2024

 

 

 

North Bay SHA #10

 

Status

Date

Reason/Notes

 

1012 North Bay Western

Conditionally Approved

 

OPEN

 

 

10/20/2024

 

 

 

1022 North Bay Eastern

Conditionally Approved

 

OPEN

 

10/20/2024

 

 

 

East Bay SHA #12

 

Status

Date

Reasons/Notes

 

1212 East Bay

Conditionally Approved

Public Reefs

OPEN

 

10/10/2024

 

 

Leases

OPEN

 

10/10/2024

 

 

Industry Notes: Weekly FC test schedule:                                                             

**Weather Permitting**

 

Tentative Sample Date

Area

Results Expected

Results

Comments

10/14/2024

0222

10/16/2024

Passed

Monthly samples

10/15/2024

1012/1022

10/17/2024

Passed

Reopen samples

10/21/2024

0632

10/23/2024

Passed

Monthly samples

10/22/2024

Big Lagoon

10/24/2024

Passed

Monthly samples

10/23/2024

1012/1022

10/25/2024

Passed

Monthly samples

10/24/2024

0232

10/26/2024

Passed

Monthly samples

 

Red Tide Cell Counts:

Next red tide water samples tentatively scheduled:

Red tide meat samples tentatively scheduled: 

                                                     

For more information on Red Tide in Florida please visit:

http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/