Eastpoint

Eastpoint is the central point of the Forgotten Coast.  Its waterfront is a place one can truly feel untouched by today's world and experience a truly unique, authentic fishing town.  Just across the Bay from Apalachicola or St. George Island, Eastpoint is where many of the oysterman harvest their catch and bring it to the processing houses.

Oysterman harvest oysters in Franklin County from more than 7,000 acres of public oyster "bars" and 600 acres of private leased bar in Apalachicola Bay.  Public bars are divided into "winter" bars, which are harvested from October through June and "summer" bars which are harvested from July through September.  There are more than 1,000 people employed by the oyster industry in Franklin County. 

Tongers (traditionally called "oystermen") harvest the oysters today in the same manner they have for a century.  From small wooden boats 20-23 feet long, using tongs that look somewhat like two rakes attached in scissor-style the oystermen bring the oysters to the surface.  The oysters are brought on board and sorted on a culling board where they are separated by size.  On shore, the seafood houses sort the oysters and package them for sale either in bags or boxes, or send them to be shucked, washed and sold in pints or gallons.  The Bay is carefully monitored to ensure the health and productivity of the oyster beds.  As early as 1949, the state was involved in restocking oyster shell into the bay to create new oyster bars. It is estimated that 750 acres of bars have been constructed since then.