The 2025 recreational bay scallop season for the Gulf County Zone, which includes all of St. Joseph Bay, will open on August 16 and run through September 24. The area covers state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County.
Recreational harvesters are allowed a daily bag limit of two gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or one pint of bay scallop meat per person. Each vessel is limited to a maximum of ten gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or half a gallon (four pints) of shucked meat per day. Vessel limits do not permit any individual to exceed their personal bag limit.
Bay scallops may only be harvested by hand or with a landing or dip net, and commercial harvesting is not allowed.
For detailed information on regulations, individuals can visit MyFWC.com/Marine and navigate to “Recreational Regulations” and “Bay Scallops” under the “Crabs, Lobster and other Shellfish” tab.
Regulations allow for direct and continuous transit of legally harvested bay scallops through closed areas, provided that boats do not stop in those waters and proceed directly to docks or ramps for landing.
A Florida saltwater fishing license is required for recreational harvesters unless exempted or if using a no-cost shoreline fishing license while wading from shore without swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, or using a vessel. Licenses can be purchased at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, by calling 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356), or through the Fish|Hunt FL app available on Apple and Android devices.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) emphasizes safety for both boaters and divers during the season. "Statistics show that over half of boating fatality victims were reported as being able to swim. Even the strongest swimmers can be unprepared and unable to respond to a fall overboard. In 2024, over 40% of boating fatalities in Florida were caused by people falling overboard and drowning, and over 75% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. Drownings are rare when boaters are wearing an appropriate life jacket."
Divers should remain within 300 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag when in open water or within 100 feet if on rivers, inlets, or navigation channels. Boats must operate at idle speed within these distances from divers-down flags.
Boaters are reminded that damaging seagrass beds is illegal in some areas within state waters. Seagrasses serve as food for endangered species such as manatees and green sea turtles, help purify water naturally, and provide habitat for marine life including bay scallops.
The FWC also asks participants not to discard scallop shells near boat ramps or swimming areas due to potential hazards for swimmers and harm to seagrass habitats. Instead, shells should be disposed of in trash receptacles or larger bodies of water where they can disperse more easily. Boaters should secure all trash onboard to prevent littering.
More information about boating safety is available at MyFWC.com/Boating under “Boating Regulations,” with sections on “Divers-down Warning Devices” and “Seagrass Awareness.”