Learn how to apply for an Apalachicola Bay Oyster Harvesting License.
To harvest wild oysters from Apalachicola Bay, you must purchase an Apalachicola Bay Endorsement.
Apalachicola Bay refers to all waters within St. George Sound, East Bay, Apalachicola Bay, St. Vincent Sound in Franklin County, and Indian Lagoon in Gulf County, including canals, channels, rivers and creeks.
Please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website for more information regarding the harvest of wild oysters from Apalachicola Bay.
The Shellfish Harvester training course is required annually for all commercial oyster harvesters in order to receive or renew a Shellfish Endorsement issued by FWC.
Shellfish Harvester Education provides training in sanitary shellfish harvesting, handling and transportation practices. It is designed to help shellfish handlers minimize the growth of Vibrio bacteria and to reduce the risk of associated illnesses.
Training may be completed online, or in person at the Apalachicola Shellfish Center.
To schedule an in-person training class, call the Apalachicola Shellfish Center Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (850) 653-8317. The center is located at 260 Dr. Frederick Humphries Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320-1336.
