Gov. Rick Scott is asking the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to open the bay scallop season three days earlier than normal. The idea, he said, would be to create additional recreational opportunities for Florida residents and visitors, and help provide an economic boost to coastal communities.
“The bay scallop fishery is especially important to Florida’s Big Bend region, and by opening the bay scallop season three days earlier, Floridians throughout this area will have more opportunities to enjoy our national treasures and provide for their families,” Scott said, in a release.
The season normally opens July 1, but if approved, would open instead on June 28. Scott also wants to consider making the change permanent, by opening the season the Saturday before July 1.
The recreational season is set to open in the Gulf of Mexico state waters (up to nine nautical miles from shore) beginning at the Pasco-Hernando county line, to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County. The season will remain open through Sept. 24.
Scott pushed for a similar early start last year as well, although it’s not expected to negatively affect the scallop populations, according to published reports.
