Plan your summer scalloping!

FWC offers sneak-peek at upcoming scalloping rules

John Willoughby
ECB Publishing, Inc.

In the peak of the summer, the waters of the Gulf of Mexico are entered by fishermen and enthusiasts during the annual scalloping season, set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Beginning with the opening of the season on Monday, June 15, in parts of Taylor County, here's what you need to know before you beginning your summer planning.
Bay scallops are found in isolated populations along the western shore of Florida, which is bordered by the saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico. With only a one-year lifespan, their population is maintained by common reproduction or by welcoming offsprings from a neighboring population.
Legal harvest of bay scallops may only occur in state waters, provided by the FWC:
St. Joseph Bay and Gulf County (August 16 through September 24): Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the westernmost point on St. Vincent Island in Franklin County.
Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County, including Carrabelle, Lanark and St. Marks (July 1 through September 24): Westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County to Rock Island near the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County.
The remaining portion of Taylor County and all of Dixie County, including Keaton Beach and the Steinhatchee area (June 15 through Labor Day): East of Rock Island near the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County and north of Alligator Pass day beacon No. 4 near the mouth of the Suwannee River in Levy County.
This area has a lowered bag limit from June 15 to June 30: per person – one gallon whole bay scallops in shell or one cup shucked; per vessel – five gallons who or two pints shucked; July 1 to Labor Day: per person – two gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or one pint of bay scallop meat; per vessel – maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or half-gallon bay scallop meat.
Levy, Citrus and Hernando Counties, including Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa (July 1 through September 24): South of Alligator Pass day beacon No. 4, near the mouth of the Suwannee River in Levy County and north of the Hernando/Pasco County line. Scallopers are asked not to discard shells in in-shore waters commonly used for recreational activities such as the Homosassa River or Crystal River. Piles of discarded scallop shells can create hazards for swimmers and damage seagrass habitat. Scallop shells can be discarded in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more likely to disperse.
Pasco County (July 17-26; opens the third Friday in July and continues 10 days): South of the Hernando/Pasco County line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County; includes all waters of the Anclote River.
Daily bag limits have also been set for the upcoming scallop season:
Gulf County to NW Taylor County and Levy-Pasco Counties:
• Two gallons of whole bay scallops (or one pint of bay scallop meat) per person.
• A per-vessel maximum has been set to 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or half-gallon bay scallop meat.
Remaining portion of Taylor County and all of Dixie County, June 15-30:
• One gallon of whole bay scallops in shell (or one cup shucked) per person
• Five gallons of whole bay scallops (or two pints shucked) per vessel
July 1 to Labor Day:
• Two gallons of whole bay scallops in shell (or one pint of bay scallop meat) per person.
• A per-vessel maximum has been set to 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or half-gallon bay scallop meat.
Harvest is permitted only by hand or by using a landing or dip net and has no minimum size limit. Commercial harvest is prohibited however. There is no minimum size limit. For further information, visit myfwc.com.
Fishers are asked not to discard scallop shells in in-shore waters commonly used for recreational activities such as, but not limited to, the Homosassa River or Crystal River. According to the FWC, piles of discarded scallop shells can create hazards for swimmers and damage seagrass habitat. Scallop shells should be disposed of in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more likely to disperse.
Are you in need of a saltwater fishing license? A license, which can be obtained through the Jefferson County Tax Collector's Office, is required by the state of Florida in order to take or attempt to take saltwater fish, crabs, clams, marine plants or other saltwater organisms, other than non-living sea-shells and lion fish with certain gear.
Licenses can also be obtained by visiting GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or calling the FWC's toll free number at (888) 347-4356.
Recreational harvesters are required to hold a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless the fisherman is exempt from needing a license or has a no-cost shoreline fishing license and is wading from shore to collect scallops, which is not valid when fishing from a vessel.
No one under the age of 16 is required to carry a license, otherwise, license fees are as follows:
• Resident annual and non-resident three-day – $17
• Resident five-year – $79
• Non resident annual – $47
• Non-resident seven-day – $30.
For more information about licensing, the Jefferson County Tax Collector's Office can be reached at (850) 342-0147.