Open harvest season for bay scallops along Florida’s gulf
coast begins July 1 and runs through
September 10. State waters in the Gulf of Mexico open to scallop harvest
extend 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 water 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.
Recreational harvesters are limited to two gallons of whole bay scallops
in the shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat, per day during the open
season. In addition, recreational scallopers may possess no more than 10
gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or ˝ gallon of bay scallop
meat, aboard any vessel at any time. Bay scallops may be harvested only
by hand or with a landing or dip net. They may not be harvested for
commercial purposes.
September 10. State waters in the Gulf of Mexico open to scallop harvest
extend 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 water 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.