Get ready to grab your nets and enjoy the sunshine as prime scalloping grounds in Franklin-NW Taylor, Levy, Citrus, and Hernando Counties open their waters for recreational harvest.
The highly anticipated 2025 recreational bay scallop season is set to begin on July 1st for eager harvesters in the Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County region (including popular spots like Carrabelle, Lanark, and St. Marks), as well as specific areas within Levy County and the entirety of Citrus and Hernando counties (encompassing Cedar Key, Crystal River, and Homosassa).
This exciting season will run through September 24th, offering ample opportunity for a bountiful harvest.
Scallopers in these designated areas will be subject to a daily bag limit of 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person.
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To ensure sustainable harvesting, a maximum vessel limit of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1/2 gallon (4 pints) of shucked bay scallop meat per day is in effect. It’s important to remember that individual harvesters cannot exceed their personal bag limit, even if the vessel limit allows for more.
Harvesting these delicious bivalves is permitted exclusively by hand or by using a landing or dip net. Commercial harvest of bay scallops remains strictly prohibited.
For comprehensive information on bay scallop regulations, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) advises visiting MyFWC.com/Marine and navigating to “Recreational Regulations,” then “Bay Scallops” under the “Crabs, Lobster and other Shellfish” tab.
Recreational harvesters are required to possess a Florida saltwater fishing license to collect bay scallops, unless they are exempt from needing a license or hold a no-cost shoreline fishing license and are wading from shore to collect scallops (meaning their feet remain on the bottom, and they do not use a vessel to reach or return from the harvest location).
Licenses can be purchased conveniently at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, by calling toll-free 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356), or through the Fish|Hunt FL app available on Apple and Android devices.
Safety First: A Smooth Scalloping Experience
The FWC emphasizes the importance of boater and scalloper safety. Designating a sober operator for your vessel is crucial for the safety of everyone onboard and in the surrounding waters.
Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and carries serious consequences, with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher being illegal in Florida, mirroring motor vehicle regulations. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating, click on “Boating Regulations,” and select “Boating Under the Influence.”
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Divers are reminded to adhere to essential safety guidelines:
- When scalloping in open water, divers must stay within 300 feet of a correctly displayed divers-down flag.
- In rivers, inlets, or navigation channels, divers should remain within 100 feet of a divers-down flag.
- Boaters are required to operate at idle speed when traveling within 300 feet of a divers-down flag in open water or within 100 feet of a divers-down flag on a river, inlet, or navigational channel. Further details on boating safety and divers-down warning devices can be found at MyFWC.com/Boating, under “Boating Regulations,” and “Divers-down Warning Devices.”
Protecting Our Precious Seagrass
Scallopers are also urged to be mindful of Florida’s vital seagrass beds. Damaging seagrass in state waters is a violation of Florida law. Boaters should strive to stay within marked navigation channels and avoid motoring through shallow seagrass areas, which can cause harmful propeller scars.
Seagrasses are critical habitats, serving as a primary food source for endangered marine animals like manatees and green sea turtles, acting as natural water filters, and providing essential shelter for a diverse array of marine life, including the bay scallop itself. Information on seagrass awareness is available at MyFWC.com/Boating, under “Boating Regulations,” and “Seagrass Awareness.”
Finally, remember the “Stow it, don’t throw it” motto. Please do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters frequently used for recreational activities, such as near boat ramps or swimming areas. Piles of discarded shells can pose hazards to swimmers and damage delicate seagrass habitats.
Scallop shells should be disposed of in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more likely to disperse. Let’s work together to ensure a safe and enjoyable scalloping season for all, while protecting Florida’s precious marine environment.
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