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: 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:
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