The results of the test showed that the water quality was good, confirm a state official. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service has closed the bay due to bacteria concerns because the Apalachicola River was surging from rainfall in the Florida Panhandle and South Georgia, told David Heil, chief of the department’s Bureau of Aquaculture Environmental Services.
Heil further said that the Apalachicola Bay provides 90 percent of Florida’s oysters and 10 percent of the nation’s oyster supply. According to him closing the bay puts approximately 1,000 oyster harvesters out of work and sends a rippling effect through the area’s economy.
Linda Raffield, secretary of the Franklin County Seafood Workers Association, said that some seafood workers were struggling already as some wholesalers dropped prices they pay for the shellfish. In the meantime the officials from Alabama, Florida and Georgia are continuing to negotiate a possible water-sharing agreement, informed Michael Sole, Secretary, Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The states have been into legal battle for water since 1990. Florida now is receiving about 10 times more water in the river now than three months ago when the states were wrangling over water.
