The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is temporarily closing the No. 3202 Waccasassa Bay Shellfish Harvest Area at Sunset Wednesday, December 21 for the harvest of oysters, clams and mussels. In this context, shellfish does not include scallops, shrimp or crabs. Cedar Key News will continue to post updates on the shellfish harvest situation as the notices arrive. Some shellfish areas were open on December 15. The re-opening, following more than a month of closings due to red tide, was announced by Mark DeHaven, Environmental Specialist II with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Aquaculture. Specifically, the area that re-opened includes the eastern portion of #3012 Cedar Key Zone A. This area is east of 83 degrees 01.00 West, including the Dog Island High Density Lease Area. Anyone with questions regarding the re-opening of the waters may contact DeHaven at 352-543-5732. |