Shellfish farmers in Northwest Florida are speaking out against a proposed oil drilling project near the Apalachicola River, a key waterway that flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The project raises concerns about the potential risks to water quality and the livelihoods of those reliant on clean, productive waters.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said Monday (Dec. 9) that it is considering permitting Louisiana-based Clearwater Land & Minerals to drill an exploratory oil well approximately 14,000 feet deep near the river. The move has drawn sharp criticism from local farmers and environmental advocates who fear it could harm the region's fragile ecosystem and damage its reputation as a source of high-quality seafood, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

"This could make or break what grows in our very delicate bay," said Xochitl Bervera, a full-time oyster farmer and founder of Water is Life Oysters, telling the publication why she joined about 200 protesters outside the DEP's headquarters in Tallahassee. Bervera called on state regulators to withdraw support for the drilling project.

According to Adrianne Johnson, executive director of the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association, about 75% of Florida's oyster farmers are based in the Gulf, Wakulla, and Franklin counties, which could be directly affected by upstream contamination. Johnson told the publication that even the perception of pollution could harm business, as consumers are unlikely to buy shellfish from areas linked to oil drilling activities.

"Oil drilling is bad for business," Johnson said. "It's bad for our oyster farmers whose livelihoods depend on clean water and for our coastal communities that count on these industries for their economies."

The opposition is partly led by the nonprofit Apalachicola Riverkeeper, which has filed a legal petition to block the permit, the publication reported. The group argues that the risks of contamination and damage to the river basin outweigh the potential economic benefits of oil exploration.

The hearings, overseen by an administrative law judge, began Monday and are expected to continue throughout the week. Clearwater Land & Minerals has defended its plan, with its lawyer Timothy Riley stating that the project poses a minimal environmental threat and holds significant potential for finding commercially viable oil and gas deposits.