Thursday, June 25, 2015

Coast Guard reminds thousands of boaters of safety during scallop season near Crystal River, Florida


Bay_Scallop 

JUNE 25, 2015

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA

The Coast Guard, along with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is emphasizing boating safety at the start of this year’s bay scallop season from June 27 – Sept. 24 in the Crystal River, Florida, and Homosassa, Florida, area.

The Coast Guard is expecting to see an increase in the amount of boaters on the water for this year’s season and strongly encourage boaters to put safety at the forefront for this bay scallop season.

Boaters and divers should ensure they take proper safety precautions due to the amount of boats in the shallow waters. The Coast Guard reminds mariners to maintain a proper speed while on the water, watch for scallop divers and also, if diving, be aware of your surroundings. Do not dive far from your vessel and risk being hit my moving boat traffic.

“The opening of scallop season is upon us. It can be a very enjoyable time but also can be deadly,” said Chief Warrant Officer John “Paul” Chandler, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Yankeetown. 

“We are expecting thousands of boats in the area, all vying for the best scallops. Please stay safe and watch your speed around other boaters, use the proper dive flags, stay close to your vessel when diving and watch your surroundings.”

For more information on bay scallop season, visit http://ift.tt/1IfBv9k

Bay Scallop

Bay Scallop: Argopecten irradians

Florida Recreational Regulations:

Regulations Bay Scallop Harvest Zone
Minimum Size Limit  None
Daily Bag Limit
2 gallons whole bay scallops in shell, or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person
Maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or 1/2 gallon bay scallop meat per vessel
Season* Open June 27 - Sept. 24

*Season opens the Saturday before July 1 unless July 1 falls on a Saturday, then the opening date would be July 1.
Commercial harvest prohibited.

Recreational harvesters need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops, even when scalloping from shore.

Bay Scallop Harvest Zone:
 Bay Scallop Zone Map
Bay scallops may only be harvested in state waters from the Pasco-Hernando County line (near Aripeka - latitude 28 degrees, 26.016 minutes North) to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County (longitude 85 degrees, 25.84 minutes West).

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.

Gear Requirements:
  • Legal Gear: Harvest permitted by hand or landing or dip net