The 2024 recreational bay scallop season for the Pasco Zone opens on July 10 and will remain open through August 18. This includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, including all waters of the Anclote River.
The daily bag limit is set at 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 1/2 gallon (4 pints) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel. Vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed their personal bag limit throughout the season.
At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a change to the bay scallop season for the Pasco Zone management region. The long-term season dates were informed by post-season monitoring results from FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in 2023, as well as input received from stakeholders at virtual public workshops, in-person meetings, and public comments. For more information, including details from the February 2024 Commission meeting presentation, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and click on “Commission Meetings.”
Although bay scallop season dates may vary by region, regulations allow for direct and continuous transit of legally harvested bay scallops through closed areas. When transiting, boaters must proceed directly to a dock or ramp without stopping their vessels in waters that are closed to harvest.
Recreational harvesters need a Florida saltwater fishing license to collect bay scallops unless they are exempt or have a no-cost shoreline fishing license and are wading from shore without using a vessel. To purchase a saltwater fishing license, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, call toll-free at 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356), or use the Fish|Hunt FL app on Apple and Android devices.
For more information on current recreational bay scallop regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Scallops.
The FWC reminds boaters to wear life jackets when underway. Statistics indicate over half of boating fatality victims were reported as being able to swim; however, even strong swimmers can be unprepared for falls overboard. Over 60% of boating fatalities in Florida result from people falling overboard and drowning; 80% of these victims were not wearing life jackets. Drownings are rare when appropriate life jackets are worn. For more information on boating safety, visit MyFWC.com/Boating.
It is illegal under Florida law to damage seagrass beds within certain state waters. Boaters should stay within marked navigation channels whenever possible and avoid traveling through seagrass beds in shallow water to prevent propeller scars. Seagrasses serve as crucial habitats for marine life such as manatees and green sea turtles while acting as natural filters that help purify water. For more information on seagrass awareness, visit MyFWC.com/Boating.
The FWC also advises against discarding scallop shells inshore near recreational areas like boat ramps or swimming zones due to potential hazards they create for swimmers and damage they cause to seagrass habitats. Scallop shells should be discarded either in trash receptacles or larger bodies of water where they can disperse naturally.