July 20, 2005
Bronson Announces Reopening Of Two Summer Oyster Harvesting Areas Of Apalachicola Bay
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today announced the reopening of two of five summer oyster harvesting areas in Apalachicola Bay. The reopening of those areas comes 10 days after the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services had closed all of the bay to oyster harvesting as a result of potential impacts from Hurricane Dennis. “Public safety is our number one concern, and we had to make sure that the waters open for harvest meet FDA standards,” said Bronson.
As a result of extensive monitoring of the bay, officials say they are reopening Areas 1652 and 1662 as tests show that oysters are safe to consume from those areas. Area 1652 is north of the John Gorrie Memorial Bridge while 1662 is south of the bridge. Bronson emphasized that testing is ongoing, and the remainder of the shellfish harvesting areas will reopen as soon as tests indicate that shellfish from those areas are safe to consume.
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which is responsible for ensuring the safe harvest of Florida shellfish, is reminding high-risk Floridians to avoid consuming raw oysters, which often harbor the naturally occurring bacteria Vibrio Vulnificus. Those at-risk for developing serious illness from the bacteria include heavy drinkers with liver damage, as well as people with certain health conditions, including those with liver disease, diabetes, cancer, stomach disorders or any illness or treatment that weakens the immune system.
There are several cooking techniques that individuals in high-risk groups can use to enjoy oysters while remaining safe. Thoroughly cooking oysters, either by frying, stewing or roasting, eliminates harmful bacteria and viruses in the meat. Consuming raw oysters that have undergone a post-harvest treatment process to eliminate the bacteria can also reduce the risk of illness. Information on the status of shellfish harvesting areas is available at the Division of Aquaculture web site at www.FloridaAquaculture.com.
For more information:
David Heil
(850) 488-4033
heild@doacs.state.fl.us
