What are the dates for scallop season in Florida?

Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties (including Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa): July 1 through Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters south of Alligator Pass daybeacon #4 near the mouth of the Suwannee River in Levy County and north of the Hernando – Pasco county line.

Where is the best place to scallop in Florida?

Best Areas to Scallop
  • Steinhatchee/Keaton Beach.
  • Crystal River.
  • Homosassa – an hour north of Tampa.
  • Port St. Joe (between Panama City and Apalachicola) and Cape San Blas.
  • Keaton Beach.
  • Bayport Pier & Hernando Beach.

Do you need a license to scallop in Florida?

Anyone harvesting scallops needs a current Florida recreational saltwater fishing license, unless you are scalloping on a chartered trip. A saltwater fishing license can be obtained online from the FWC. Make sure you understand the open seasons and bay scallop harvesting regulations.

How is scallop season 2021?

The 2021 recreational bay scallop season from the Fenholloway River through the Suwannee River opens June 15 and will remain open through Labor Day (Sept. 6, 2021). This includes all state waters in Dixie County and a portion of Taylor County and includes the towns of Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee.

Can you scuba dive for scallops in Florida?

Situated in western Florida, Crystal River scalloping is one of the most popular summertime activities. The scallops live in seagrass beds and shallow water and predominantly found in specific locations on Florida’s west coast and areas near Crystal River. …

Do you need a dive flag for scalloping?

With hundreds of boats on the scallop grounds safety is paramount. A diver-down flag to warn boaters of swimmers nearby is required by law.

How long is scallop season in Florida?

Bag Limits

Fenholloway through Suwannee Rivers Zone: One gallon of whole scallops in shell or one cup of shelled scallop meat per person, or five gallons whole scallops in shell or two pints shelled scallop meat per vessel (June 15-30); from July 1 through Labor Day, the limit is the same as everywhere else.

What months are scallops in season?

Scallop season is generally observed during the summer months and into the early fall each year.

How long is scallop season in Crystal River?

Scalloping season begins at the beginning of July until early September every year. Harvesting is done about 2-3 miles from shore in the gulf, and can be found almost anywhere eelgrass is located. The bag limit is 2 gallons of whole scallops per person per day; or 1 pint of scallop meat per person per day.

Does red tide affect scallops?

What seafoods are unsafe to eat from waters where red tide occurs? Only a few marine animals accumulate these toxins. Shellfish, including hard-shell clams, soft-shell clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops, are particularly prone to contamination as they feed by filtering microscopic food out of the water.

Can you catch scallops in the Florida Keys?

Bay scallops (Argopecten irradians) live in shallow, nearshore waters along Florida’s Gulf coast, from Pensacola to the Florida Keys.

What is the limit on scallops in Crystal River?

two gallons
Rules & Regulations

The daily limit is two gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat per person; maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or half a gallon bay scallop meat per vessel.

How long is red tide in Florida 2021?

“ The FWC says most blooms last between three and five months, but some can persist for longer than a year.

What months does red tide occur in Florida?

Although red tide (Karenia brevis) season is October to February, blooms are possible during the hotter summer months.

Where’s the red tide in Florida?

Gulf of Mexico
Yet, the organism that causes Florida’s red tide, K. brevis, is found almost exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico from Mexico to Florida. Florida red tides can be transported around the Gulf of Mexico as coastal waters move with winds and currents.

Can you swim during red tide?

Swimming is safe for most people. However, the red tide can cause some people to suffer skin irritation and burning eyes. People with respiratory illness may also experience respiratory irritation in the water. Use common sense.

Where is red tide the worst in Florida?

According to FWC’s red tide map, the worst of the recent blooms are located offshore and onshore of north Pinellas County beaches, near Clearwater, as well as Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach in Manatee County.

What beaches in Florida are affected by red tide?

As of Friday, in the greater Tampa Bay region, medium concentrations of red tide were detected at Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas; Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, and Coquina Beach Park in Manatee; Longboat Key, and Lido Key in Sarasota.