Boot Scooting Scallops - It Is Open Season
Bay Scallops, known for their electric blue eyes, are found in the waters along the Gulf Coast of Florida from Pensacola to the Keys. Found in seagrass beds, they can really scoot when they see you coming. Their means of location is by opening and closing their shells. Bottom dwellers, they can be found in 4-8 feet of water.
Bay Scallops are bivalve mollusks that can only be harvested from July 1 to Sept. 24. This year the season starts today. They cannot be harvested commercially and recreational harvesters must have a fishing license.
The harvest limit is 2 gallons per person per day or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person per person. Total maximum is 10 gallons of scallops (in shell) or 1/2 gallon bay scallop meat per vessel. Scalloping is permitted by hand or dip net.
It is illegal to possess bay scallops on waters outside open harvest areas. It is also illegal to land scallops outside open harvest areas. For example, it would be legal to take scallops from waters off the Hernando County coast, but it would be illegal to dock your boat in Pasco County with the scallop catch onboard.
Watch this cute video by Adrian Jiek of scallops swimming
I have friends who look forward to scallop season every year! I have never gone scalloping but they say it's fun! If you go, wear protective shoes and gloves.
Thanks to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission for iinteresting facts and pictures.
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Boot Scooting Scallops - It's Open Season
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