Florida bay scallop season has started, and seafood lovers from across the state are already venturing off the coasts of Taylor and Dixie counties, where recreational harvesting is permitted now through Labor Day. Harvesting in other Gulf Coast counties will follow as the summer progresses.

snorkeler — A man scalloping off the Gulf Coast. (Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS)

A newly revised Ask IFAS guide presents valuable information about this family-friendly activity, including boating safety tips and an overview of state laws.

“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,” said guide author Brittany Hall-Scharf, UF/IFAS Extension Hernando County director and a Florida Sea Grant marine agent.

Anyone considering a scalloping trip should first familiarize themselves with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) laws, according to the guide. Only recreational harvesting of scallops is allowed, and a saltwater fishing license is generally required. There are designated zones along the Gulf Coast – from Bay to Pinellas counties – and harvest season dates and the number of scallops each person is allowed to harvest varies based on location.

The guide recommends developing a safety protocol before casting off. Boat captains can download and complete a U.S. Coast Guard float plan, which documents information about the vessel and the people and emergency gear on board. The plan must be left on land with someone who can share it with authorities in the event of an emergency.

Once offshore, safety is a shared responsibility among outing participants. At least one person should always remain aboard the vessel, according to the guide. This designated lookout safeguards against problems with the boat and watches for threatening weather, changing tides and approaching vessels.

The use of a divers-down flag is required by law, and swimmers and snorkelers must remain within 300 feet of the flag while in open waters.

“Look up often and check that you are near your boat,” according to the guide. “It can be very easy to unknowingly venture too far from the vessel while scalloping. Being aware of the vessel’s location is important to prevent injuries and exhaustion. It will also keep you from having to drag your scallop catch long distances while in the water.”

Consider discretion when eyeing that catch. Scallops only live about 18 months, and the Gulf population is negatively impacted by overharvesting, seagrass loss, red tides, sedimentation and heavy freshwater input from storms and hurricanes. The common guidance is to only keep shells larger than 1.5 inches in diameter. Use a beverage can as a quick reference: If the shell covers the bottom of the can, it’s a keeper.

Additional information about Florida Sea Grant’s recommended methods for sizing scallops is available online.

Snorkelers searching for scallops congregate over seagrass beds as lookouts keep watch onboard their boats. (Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS)

“Even though not required, if you voluntarily collect only the larger scallops, you will help ensure smaller scallops have a chance to grow large enough to spawn and contribute to the population,” according to the revised Ask IFAS guide. “Larger scallops also produce enough meat to make cleaning them worthwhile.”

Beyond safety and sustainability, the guide’s authors endeavor to demystify shucking by providing step-by-step cleaning instructions, as well as a tutorial video illustrating the process. They stress proper handling of the catch, including keeping the extracted meat chilled and hands, tools and containers clean to prevent foodborne illness.

Lastly, the guide encourages courteousness: Avoid boating over seagrass beds, which scallops depend on for habitat, and don’t dispose of scallop shells in water channels, canals, marinas and springs or on boat ramps.

The 2024 hurricane season negatively impacted many coastal towns associated with scalloping, and some are still recovering, Hall-Scharf said.

“While you are enjoying this awesome summer activity, please be patient and respectful of the local community while they are recovering,” she said.

Learn more about scalloping by visiting Florida Sea Grant’s official scalloping webpage, flseagrant.org/fisheries/scalloping/.

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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.

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ABOUT FLORIDA SEA GRANT

Florida Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in coastal and Great Lakes states that encourage the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, education, outreach, and technology transfer. The program is hosted at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). In addition to NOAA and UF/IFAS, the program is a partnership between Florida universities and county governments.

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