From shrimp boats and oyster bars to spring runs.
Shrimp boat winding through a Northwest Florida coastal marsh
Current issue · August 13, 2026

Apalachicola Oysters Get Their Next Chapter

A new oyster season, St. Joseph Bay scallops opening Sunday, Carrabelle weekend picks, and Sharon’s pecan-crusted chicken.

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Coastal Northwest Florida town
Community & place

Along the Coast

Wakulla’s development review and budget workshop, Carrabelle civic history, and practical coastal notes for the week ahead.

Working waterfront and oyster gear
Water & livelihood

Working Coast

Apalachicola Bay’s next wild-oyster season is set, while St. Joseph Bay scallop season opens Sunday, August 16.

Summer coastal gathering
Food & gathering

From the Coastal Kitchen

Sharon Rigsby’s pecan-crusted chicken brings a crisp Southern coating with hot honey or honey mustard for serving.

Top of the Tide

Apalachicola oysters get their next chapter

01

The next wild-oyster season is set

Apalachicola Bay’s next limited wild-oyster season opens October 1 and runs through February 28, 2027, with harvest allowed on NFWF Cat Point, Cat Point Spur, and Peanut Ridge.

Read the oyster update →
02

St. Joseph Bay scallop season opens Sunday

Gulf County’s bay-scallop season opens August 16 and runs through September 24. Franklin and Wakulla waters are already open, making zone boundaries especially important this weekend.

Read the scallop update →
03

Wakulla budget workshop set for Monday

Wakulla commissioners will hold a public workshop August 17 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern on development of the FY 2026–27 county budget.

Read the civic brief →
This Week’s Picks

Carrabelle history and Saturday markets along the coast

Carrabelle history
Carrabelle

Local democracy gets the museum treatment

Foundations of Freedom continues at the Carrabelle History Museum with old ballots, ballot boxes, city records, and artifacts from generations of small-town civic life.

Carrabelle coastal market
Carrabelle

Saturday market beneath the lighthouse

The Country Farmer’s Market returns to the Crooked River Lighthouse grounds Saturday, August 15, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Eastern.

Port St. Joe waterfront
Port St. Joe

Salt Air Farmers Market returns Saturday

Port St. Joe’s Salt Air Farmers Market returns to George Core Park Saturday morning, August 15, beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern.

Working waterfront along the Northwest Florida coast
Working Coast

Oysters and scallops mark the week on the water

FWC has set Apalachicola Bay’s next limited wild-oyster season for October 1 through February 28, 2027, with a combined annual harvest level of 2,560 bags across three approved reefs. Meanwhile, St. Joseph Bay scallop season opens Sunday, August 16. Check current boundaries and shellfish status before harvesting.

Read this week’s Working Coast update
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