Thu., October 4, 2012 9:30am (EDT)

FL Gov: Oysters Need More GA Water
By Associated Press
Updated: 8 months ago

EASTPOINT, Fla.  —  
Drought and a lack of enough fresh water coming down the Apalachicola River are impacting oysters in the Apalachicola Bay. Florida has battled for years over the amount of water coming downstream from Georgia. (Photo Courtesy of Swamibu via Flickr.)
Drought and a lack of enough fresh water coming down the Apalachicola River are impacting oysters in the Apalachicola Bay. Florida has battled for years over the amount of water coming downstream from Georgia. (Photo Courtesy of Swamibu via Flickr.)
Florida Gov. Rick Scott says the state's oyster industry appears near collapse and needs help to survive. He said that includes getting more fresh water coming into Apalachicola Bay from Georgia.

Scott spent Wednesday afternoon meeting with Franklin County residents and local officials struggling to keep the industry afloat.

Drought and a lack of enough fresh water coming down the Apalachicola River are impacting oysters in the bay. Florida has battled for years over the amount of water coming downstream from Georgia.

The governor said he plans to look into possible ways to aid the oyster industry. That includes more dredging, spreading shells on the floor of the bay and even filling in a channel.