Q.  Who classifies shellfish harvesting areas in Florida? 

A.  The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) has the sole responsibility for classifying coastal waters for shellfishing

Q. What is the purpose of shellfish classifications? 

A.  Shellfish classifications provide for the harvest of shellfish to protect the health of shellfish consumers.

Q.  Why are areas reclassified? 

A.  The classification of areas must accurately characterize the current sanitary conditions of each area for the harvest of shellfish. The classification and management of areas is evaluated annually and when conditions change that make the area unsuitable from a health perspective for shellfish harvesting, the area must be reclassified. Also, the National Shellfish Sanitation Program requires that a sanitary survey be completed for each area at least every 12 years. These sanitary surveys evaluate recent and historical information and generally recommend changes in classification.

Q.  How are proposed classifications developed? 

A.  A proposed classification or management plan is based on a draft sanitary survey report. Pollution sources, water circulation, rainfall, and levels of fecal coliform bacteria in water samples are evaluated. Input received during the reclassification process is considered in finalizing the report.

Q.  What are fecal coliform bacteria?

A.  Fecal coliform are a group of bacteria that are excreted in the feces of warm blooded animals, including humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Although most of the fecal coliform group of bacteria do not make people ill, the presence of fecal coliform bacteria indicates that human pathogens may also be present.

Q.  What are the sources of fecal coliform bacteria?

A.  Sources for this bacteria are area-specific, and may include wastewater treatment plants, storm water runoff, septic systems, domestic animals, wildlife, and boats.
 

Q.  What is a conditionally approved area?  

A.  While a conditionally approved area is open, shellfish may be harvested recreationally for consumption or commercially for sale to certified a shellfish dealer. A conditionally approved area must meet fecal coliform water quality standards and the area must be a sufficient distance from pollution sources for shellfish to be wholesome while the area is open for harvesting.

Q.  How are conditionally approved areas be managed?  

A.  A management plan is developed that uses local rainfall and/or river discharge to predict when the levels of fecal coliform bacteria in the water are unacceptably high. When the rainfall level and/or river level of the management plan is exceeded, the area will be temporarily closed to shellfish until sample results demonstrate that the levels of bacteria have returned to safe levels for shellfishing to resume.

Q.   How can I find out whether the conditionally approved area is open or closed?

A.  This information is available 24 hours a day by calling the state-wide tool free telephone number 1-877-304-4024. Those who prefer to obtain the status of shellfish areas by talking with personnel may continue to call a Shellfish Section office, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Q.  Where can I get a map that illustrates the shellfish classifications?

A.  Maps are available from the Shellfish Section. Offices locations and phone numbers are identified above.

Q.  Can I harvest shellfish in conditionally restricted areas? 

A.  Areas classified as conditionally restricted are closer to pollution sources than approved or conditionally approved areas; hence, shellfish must be purified prior to consumption. Harvesting in a conditionally restricted area requires a shellfish lease, aquaculture lease, or a licensed depuration facility and special permit issued by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Supervision of harvesting from a conditionally restricted area is required.

Q.  Can I harvest shellfish from a prohibited area or in unclassified waters?

A.  Prohibited areas are closed to shellfishing, because the area is not sufficiently removed from pollution sources for shellfish to be safe for consumption. Areas that are unclassified are closed to shellfishing, because the sanitary conditions of the area for shellfish harvesting have not been characterized by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Q. How are shellfish areas reclassified?

A.  After sufficient information has been collected and evaluated in a sanitary survey report, DACS initiates reclassification by amending the Comprehensive Shellfish Control Code, Chapter 5L-1, Florida Administrative Code. The time period to apply administrative procedures for rule amendment is at least three months.

Q. What opportunities are there for input into the reclassification? 

A.  The process for reclassification through rule amendment includes a public workshop and advertisement of the proposed classifications. If requested within 21 days of the advertisement, a hearing will be conducted. Input consistent with protecting the health of shellfish consumers and maximizing the harvest of shellfish will be incorporated into the final comprehensive shellfish harvesting area survey, rule amendment, and classification of the area.