The 2024 recreational bay scallop season in the Fenholloway-Suwannee River Zone is open through Labor Day, Sept. 2. This includes all state waters in Dixie County, a portion of Taylor County including the towns of Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee, and a portion of Levy County, according to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) news release.
From July 1 through Labor Day in this area, the recreational 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 half-gallon (4 pints) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel.
Harvest of bay scallops is permitted only by hand or by using a landing or dip net. Commercial harvest is prohibited, the release says.
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 (no swimming, snorkeling or scuba or using a vessel to reach or return from harvest location) from shore to shore to collect scallops.
Scallopers should not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities, such as near boat ramps or swimming areas. Piles of discarded shells can create hazards for swimmers and damage seagrass habitat.
Scallop shells should be discarded in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more likely to disperse. Trash on board a vessel should be secured so it doesn’t blow overboard.
To purchase a Saltwater fishing license, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or call toll-free 888-347-4356.
For information about boater safety for diving for scallops, visit MyFWC.com/Boating, click on “Boating Regulations” and select “Divers-down Warning Devices.”
For more on seagrass awareness, visit MyFWC.com/Boating, click on “Boating Regulations” and select “Seagrass Awareness.”
Published June 26, 2024
