Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has approved a management plan for a partial re-opening for wild oyster harvesting at the beginning of January

In the lawsuit, Bear Warriors United contends the FWC limited public participation before approving the hunt.

Some said bears are growing in numbers; others said that can be managed by securing trash, not hunting

Public comment Wednesday took nearly three hours, but the commission’s unanimous vote in favor came quickly.

The group contends the FWC shouldn’t have taken black bears off its threatened species list

The FWC voted 4-1 for staff members to return with rules for a December hunt that would be held in four parts of the state.

State wildlife officials will hear a proposal next week to create an annual black bear hunt. The proposed December hunt would be the first in over a decade.

A judge says Florida needs to seek what is known as an "incidental take permit" from federal wildlife officials to help minimize the effects of discharges on manatees.

While oyster harvesting there was halted in 2020, officials say reviving the industry would help the area's economy. It could resume early next year.