Franklin County’s legislative delegation in Tallahassee didn’t do much talking Monday night, and neither did the elected officials who serve the cities and county.

Rather, it was the citizens’ turn, and the honors fell on seafood workers, who implored State Sen. Bill Montford and State Rep. Halsey Beshears to do all they can to help the Apalachicola Bay’s keep its oystering industry alive.

The oystermen and women were by no means unanimous in their views, with their concerns mainly with the rules of the shelling program, as well as that the bay be opened to more harvesting - either at East Hole, which was closed last month, or the entire bay, summer and winter bars both – or by extending harvest days from the four that now exist.

“When we had more days to work we could choose,” said Angela Cooper Wilson, who oysters with her husband Michael. “It is ridiculous we have to go out there (in bad weather) and put our life on the line to provide for our kids.

“I was raised on a boat, there wasn’t no babysitter,” she said. “I won’t quit fighting and I won’t allow it to be closed. My soul won’t rest by not saying anything.”

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