Bay Scallop Season In Pasco County Runs July 17-26

PASCO COUNTY, FL — Whether you love them seared in lemon, butter and garlic or prefer them broiled and tossed with pasta, scallop lovers are in for a treat when the 10-day bay scallop season opens in Pasco County Friday, July 17 and continues through Sunday, July 26.

This region includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco county lines, north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County and includes all waters of the Anclote River.

“Scalloping is a unique and exciting offering for our destination; we’re thrilled to offer such a special experience each year, and to welcome back families and friends as they scallop with us this season,” said Adam Thomas, director of tourism at Experience Florida’s Sports Coast, the destination management organization for Pasco County

Scalloping is one of the easier sea adventures (only requiring basic swimming skills) making it a fun – not to mention socially distant – offering enjoyed by solo travelers, families and small groups. Just grab a snorkel, mask and fins. Many opt to scallop with a personal vessel, whereas those that are new to the sport can book a private guided charter with a local fishing captain.

To the recreational snorkelers’ delight, a day well spent on the water is often capped with a cook-your-catch dinner. The dime-sized sweet scallops are one of Florida’s tastiest seafood delicacies and can be baked, broiled, blackened, fried, sautéed or even drenched in citrus for ceviche.

In celebration of the destination’s newly reinstated recreational bay scallop season, Florida’s Sports Coast partnered with JL Video to create a video showcasing a local family heading out for a fun underwater adventure with a Sports Coast fishing charter captain. The promotional film was recently awarded a Gold Telly – an annual award honoring excellence in video.

See related story: Pasco County Wins National Honors For Scalloping Tourism Video

According to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, regular bag and vessel limits apply. Regular season limits are 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1/2 gallon bay scallop meat per vessel (1/2 gallon = 4 pints). Vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed his or her personal bag limit.

Scallops may be collected by hand or with a landing or dip net.

There is no commercial harvest of bay scallops allowed in Florida.

Direct and continuous transit of legally harvested bay scallops is allowed through closed areas. Boaters may not stop their vessels in waters that are closed to harvest and must proceed directly to the dock or ramp to land scallops in a closed area.

Diving For Scallops Safely

Wear a life jacket when underway and do not drink and boat. When scalloping in open water, divers should stay within 300 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag or device, and within 100 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag or device if on a river, inlet or navigation channel.

Boat operators traveling within 300 feet of a divers-down flag or device in open water or within 100 feet of one on a river, inlet or navigational channel must slow to idle speed.

Stow It, Don’t Throw It

Do not discard scallop shells in inshore 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 habitats. Scallop shells can be discarded in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more likely to disperse.

Take The Survey

Help FWC’s scallop researchers by completing an online survey. Harvesters can indicate where they harvested scallops, how many they collected and how long it took to harvest them.

To plan a scalloping getaway to Florida’s Sports Coast and for recommended scalloping tips, equipment and additional information, visit Florida's Sports Coast.

Courtesy FWC