Bay scallop season opens July 1
in Franklin – northwest Taylor County
and Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties
Story and Graphic Provided By FWC
Published June 26, 2024 at 1 p.m.
TALLAHASSEE — The 2024 recreational bay scallop season from Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County (including Carrabelle, Lanark and St. Marks) as well as portions of Levy County and all of Citrus and Hernando counties (including Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa) opens July 1 and will remain open through Sept. 24.
The daily bag limit in these areas is 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 (4 pints) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel.
Throughout the season and region-wide, vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed their personal bag limit.
Throughout the season and region-wide, vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed their personal bag limit.
Harvest of bay scallops is permitted only by hand or by using a landing or dip net. Commercial harvest is prohibited.
Recreational harvesters need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are exempt from needing a license or have a no-cost shoreline fishing license and are wading from shore to collect scallops (i.e., feet do not leave the bottom to swim, snorkel or SCUBA, and harvesters do not use a vessel to reach or return from the harvest location).
To purchase a Saltwater fishing license, visit https://gooutdoorsflorida.com/, call toll-free 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356) or purchase through the Fish|Hunt FL app on Apple and Android devices.
Boater and scalloper safety
A few things to remember that will make diving for scallops safe for divers and boaters alike:
When scalloping in open water, divers should stay within 300 feet of a correctly displayed divers-down flag or within 100 feet of a divers-down flag if on a river, inlet or navigation channel.
Always operate your boat at idle speed when traveling within 300 feet of a divers-down flag in open water or within 100 feet of a divers-down flag on a river, inlet or navigational channel.
Seagrass awareness
It is a violation of Florida law to damage seagrass beds in some areas within state waters. Boaters should avoid traveling through seagrass beds in shallow water, which can cause propeller scars, and should stay within the marked navigation channels whenever possible.
Seagrasses are the principal food for endangered marine animals such as manatees and green sea turtles, act as natural filters to help purify the water, and serve as important habitat for a wide variety of marine life, like the bay scallop.
Stow it, don’t throw it
Do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities, such as near boat ramps or swimming areas. 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. Also, don’t forget to stow trash securely on the vessel so that it doesn’t blow overboard.