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Starting Sept. 25, state waters off the following areas will be closed to bay scallop harvest: Franklin through northwest Taylor County (including Carrabelle, Lanark and St. Marks) and Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties (including Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa). The last day open to harvest is Sept. 24.
Share your input
These season dates are for 2018 only. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will be working toward creating a more permanent season structure in the future.
Share your comments on what you would like to see for a future season structure at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments. The FWC is very interested in understanding whether the public prefers regional differences in the season dates or a consistent season across the harvest area, as well as what season dates work best for various regions. Public feedback will be an important factor for determining whether further changes are needed when making a decision about the long-term season dates.
Citizen Science
Help FWC’s scallop researchers by completing an online survey at svy.mk/bayscallops. Harvesters can indicate where they harvested scallops, how many they collected and how long it took to harvest them. Participants may email BayScallops@MyFWC.com to ask questions or send additional information.
Learn more about long-term abundance trends in the open and closed scalloping areas by visiting MyFWC.com/Research and clicking on “Saltwater,” “Molluscs,” “Bay Scallops” and “Bay Scallop Season and Abundance Survey.”
Other 2018 Season Dates
Additional bay scallop season dates for 2018 are as follows:
Media contact: Amanda Nalley, 850-404-6100 or Amanda.Nalley@MyFWC.com