The highly anticipated Florida bay scallop season has officially begun, drawing seafood enthusiasts to the waters off Taylor and Dixie counties. Recreational harvesting is now permitted in these areas through Labor Day, with other Gulf Coast counties slated to open their seasons as the summer progresses.
As families and friends embark on this beloved summer tradition, UF/IFAS and Florida Sea Grant are providing invaluable guidance to ensure a safe, sustainable, and enjoyable experience. A newly revised Ask IFAS guide offers comprehensive information, covering everything from boating safety to state regulations.
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“We want to ensure Florida residents and visitors alike enjoy the season while also protecting this valuable resource so that there is a season next year,” stated Brittany Hall-Scharf, UF/IFAS Extension Hernando County director and a Florida Sea Grant marine agent, and author of the guide.
Key Guidelines for a Successful Scalloping Trip:
Know the Regulations: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) laws govern recreational scallop harvesting. A saltwater fishing license is generally required. Designated zones along the Gulf Coast (from Bay to Pinellas counties) have varying season dates and harvest limits.
Prioritize Safety: Before heading out, boat captains are encouraged to complete a U.S. Coast Guard float plan, detailing vessel, passenger, and emergency gear information. This plan should be left on land with a trusted contact.
Designate a Lookout: Once offshore, safety is a shared responsibility. At least one person should remain on board the vessel at all times to monitor the boat, watch for weather changes, observe tides, and be aware of approaching vessels.
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Display a Divers-Down Flag: By law, a divers-down flag must be used, and swimmers and snorkelers must stay within 300 feet of the flag in open waters. The guide advises frequent checks of your proximity to the boat to prevent injuries, exhaustion, and long hauls of your catch.
Practice Sustainable Harvesting: Scallops have a short lifespan, and their populations are vulnerable to overharvesting, seagrass loss, red tides, and environmental factors. The general recommendation is to only keep scallops with shells larger than 1.5 inches in diameter (about the size that covers the bottom of a beverage can). Voluntarily harvesting larger scallops helps ensure smaller ones have a chance to spawn, contributing to future populations.
Proper Handling and Cleaning: The Ask IFAS guide provides step-by-step instructions and a video tutorial for shucking scallops. It emphasizes keeping the extracted meat chilled and maintaining clean hands, tools, and containers to prevent foodborne illness.
Be Courteous: Avoid boating over vital seagrass beds, which serve as scallop habitat. Do not dispose of scallop shells in water channels, canals, marinas, springs, or on boat ramps.
Hall-Scharf also urged patience and respect for local communities, many of which are still recovering from the negative impacts of the 2024 hurricane season.
“While you are enjoying this awesome summer activity, please be patient and respectful of the local community while they are recovering,” she said.
For more comprehensive information on scalloping, including detailed guides and safety tips, visit Florida Sea Grant’s official scalloping webpage at flseagrant.org/fisheries/scalloping/.
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