Gov. Rick Scott said, “Scalloping is an excellent way to take pleasure in Florida’s amazing waters as well as beautiful coastlines. I motivate all Floridians to get outside and also appreciate our world-class scallop period with family and friends.”
« Scalloping with your friends and family is timeless Florida enjoyable in the sunlight,» claimed Florida Fish as well as Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Chairman Bo Rivard. « The period brings people and also a financial boost to these seaside areas, all the while urging conservation and also linking visitors and residents to the wonders of Florida’s outdoors. » Starting July 1, state waters off the adhering to locations will certainly open to bay scallop harvest: Franklin with northwest Taylor County (consisting of Carrabelle, Lanark and St. Marks)and also Levy», Citrus and Hernando counties(consisting of Cedar Key, Crystal River and also Homosassa).
These locations will stay open up to collect with Sept. 24. Bag limits and also various other guidelines Bag as well as vessel limitations in open bay scallop harvest zones are 2 gallons whole bay scallops in covering or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person, with an optimum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or 1/2 gallon of bay scallop meat per vessel. Scallops may be gathered by hand or with a landing or dip net.
Scallops need to be landed within locations that are open to harvest as well as might not be had on waters beyond locations that are open to harvest or throughout the shut season. There is no industrial harvest allowed for bay scallops in Florida. For details on bay scallop regulations, see MyFWC.com/ Fishing as well as click on” Saltwater Fishing,””Recreational Regulations” as well as “Bay Scallops.” Boater and also scalloper security Be safe when diving for scallops.
Keep within 300 feet of an appropriately displayed divers-down flag or device when scalloping in open water, as well as within 100 feet of an appropriately displayed divers-down flag or device if on an inlet, navigation or river network. Watercraft operators traveling within 300 feet of a divers-down flag or gadget in open water or within 100 feet of one on a river, inlet or navigational channel should slow to still rate.
When scuba divers and also snorkelers have actually exited the water, constantly bear in mind to appropriately store divers-down gadgets. Various other ideal methods Snorkel with a friend. Always have a viewer aboard the watercraft while others are scalloping. Do not dispose of scallop shells in inshore waters commonly made use of for leisure activities such as the Homosassa River or Crystal River. Piles of thrown out scallop coverings can produce dangers for swimmersas well as damage seagrass environment.
- Scallop coverings can be discarded in a garbage receptacle or in bigger bodies of water where they are most likely to disperse. Be aware of changing tides. Stash your trash. Use your individual flotation protection tool when the boat is underway. 2018 Season Dates and also Boundaries St. Joseph Bay and Gulf County: Aug. 17– Sept. 30. This region consists of all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the westernmost factor of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County. Franklin with northwest Taylor County( including
- Carrabelle, Lanark and also St. Marks): July 1– Sept. 24.
This region includes all state waters from the western factor of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County to Rock Island near the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County. The staying portion of Taylor County and also all of Dixie County(consisting of Keaton Beach as well as the Steinhatchee area): June 16– Sept. 10. This region includes all state waters east of Rock Island near the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County as well as north of Alligator Pass Daybeacon # 4 near the mouth of the Suwannee River in Levy County. Levy, Citrus as well as Hernando regions(including Cedar Key, Crystal River and also Homosassa ): July 1– Sept. 24.
This area consists of all state waters southern of Alligator Pass Daybeacon # 4 near the mouth of the Suwannee River in Levy County to the Hernando– Pasco area line. Pasco County: A trial 10-day hunting season will occur July 20-29. This region includes all state waters southern of the Hernando– Pasco region line and also north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, and also includes all waters of the Anclote River.
Tell us what you assume These season dates are for 2018 just. In late 2018 or very early 2019, the FWC will certainly establish the 2019 periods for Gulf and Pasco regions, think about continuing the 2018 season framework for the staying parts of the open scallop harvest location in 2019, and will certainly work toward developing a much more long-term season structure for 2020 as well as beyond. As the 2018 season moves on, share your discuss what you would love to see for a future period framework at MyFWC.com/ SaltwaterComments.
The FWC is very curious about understanding whether the public likes regional distinctions in the season dates or a consistent season throughout the harvest location, in addition to what period days work best for numerous areas. Public feedback will certainly be a vital variable for figuring out whether more changes are required when making a decision about the lasting period dates. Resident scientific research Provided for the day?
Assist FWC’s scallop scientists by completing an online study at svy.mk/ bayscallops. Harvesters can suggest where they gathered scallops, the number of they accumulated and also how long it required to gather them. Individuals can email BayScallops@MyFWC.com to ask concerns or send extra info. Discover more about long-term wealth trends outdoors and also shut scalloping areas by going to MyFWC.com/ Research and also clicking “Saltwater,””Molluscs,””Bay Scallops “as well as”Bay Scallop Season and also Abundance Survey.”