{"id":12079,"date":"2025-06-25T10:02:09","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T10:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=12079"},"modified":"2025-06-25T10:02:09","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T10:02:09","slug":"scallop-season-opens-in-florida-but-boat-to-table-opportunities-abound","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=12079","title":{"rendered":"Scallop Season\u00a0Opens in Florida but Boat-to-Table Opportunities Abound"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>    Scallop Season\u00a0Opens in Florida but Boat-to-Table Opportunities Abound<br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><br \/>\n    <!-- no image --><br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><\/p>\n<div>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/BTG625-Scallop-Boats-1024x768.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image disable-lazyload\" alt=\"Boats with snorkelers out\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/BTG625-Scallop-Boats-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/BTG625-Scallop-Boats-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/BTG625-Scallop-Boats-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/BTG625-Scallop-Boats-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/BTG625-Scallop-Boats-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Snorkelers searching for scallops congregate over seagrass beds as lookouts keep watch onboard their boats.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy Tyler Jones, UF\/IFAS<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<p><iframe id=\"wxuzj5efbz\" src=\"https:\/\/boatingmag.dragonforms.com\/wxuzj5efbz\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"width:100%;height:165px;border:none;overflow:hidden;\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Florida bay scallop season has started, and seafood lovers from across the Sunshine State are already venturing off the coasts of Taylor and Dixie counties, where recreational harvesting is permitted now through Labor Day.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Harvesting in other Gulf Coast counties will follow as the summer progresses.<\/p>\n<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }<\/style>\n<div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0aLotAaBxeM\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>There are many kinds of seafood you can harvest from your own boat. Learn about a number of them in these articles from the editors at Boating:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/harvesting-seafood-from-your-boat\/\">Harvesting Seafood From Your Boat<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/how-to\/trash-fish-you-can-eat\/\">Trash Fish You Can Eat<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/how-to-equip-your-boat-for-scuba-diving\/\">How to Equip Your Boat for Scuba Diving<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/BTG625-Scallop-Snorkeler-1024x768.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Snorkeler hunting for scallops\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/BTG625-Scallop-Snorkeler-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/BTG625-Scallop-Snorkeler-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/BTG625-Scallop-Snorkeler-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/BTG625-Scallop-Snorkeler-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/BTG625-Scallop-Snorkeler-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">A man scalloping off the Gulf Coast.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy Tyler Jones, UF\/IFAS<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<p>Read on for more information about Florida\u2019s scallop season.<\/p>\n<p>A newly revised <a href=\"https:\/\/edis.ifas.ufl.edu\/publication\/SG158\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ask IFAS guide<\/a> presents valuable information about the family-friendly activity of harvesting scallops, including boating safety tips and an overview of state laws.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe want to ensure Florida residents and visitors alike enjoy the season while also protecting this valuable resource so that there is a season next year,\u201d said guide author Brittany Hall-Scharf, UF\/IFAS <a href=\"https:\/\/sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu\/hernando\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Extension Hernando County<\/a> director and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flseagrant.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Florida Sea Grant<\/a> marine agent.<\/p>\n<p>Anyone considering a scalloping trip should first familiarize themselves with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) laws, according to the guide. Only recreational harvesting of scallops is allowed, and a saltwater fishing license is generally required.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There are designated zones along the Gulf Coast \u2013 from Bay to Pinellas counties \u2013 and harvest season dates and the number of scallops each person is allowed to harvest varies based on location.<\/p>\n<p>The guide recommends developing a safety protocol before casting off. Boat captains can download and complete a <a href=\"https:\/\/floatplancentral.cgaux.org\/download\/USCGFloatPlan.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">U.S. Coast Guard float plan<\/a>, which documents information about the vessel and the people and emergency gear on board. The float\u00a0plan must be left on land with someone who can share it with authorities in the event of an emergency.<\/p>\n<p>Once offshore, safety is a shared responsibility among outing participants. At least one person should always remain aboard the vessel, according to the guide. This designated lookout safeguards against problems with the boat and watches for threatening weather, changing tides and approaching vessels.<\/p>\n<p>The use of a divers-down flag is required by law, and swimmers and snorkelers must remain within 300 feet of the flag while in open waters.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLook up often and check that you are near your boat,\u201d according to the guide. \u201cIt can be very easy to unknowingly venture too far from the vessel while scalloping. Being aware of the vessel\u2019s location is important to prevent injuries and exhaustion. It will also keep you from having to drag your scallop catch long distances while in the water.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Consider discretion when eyeing that catch. Scallops only live about 18 months, and the Gulf population is negatively impacted by overharvesting, seagrass loss, red tides, sedimentation and heavy freshwater input from storms and hurricanes. The common guidance is to only keep shells larger than 1.5 inches in diameter. Use a beverage can as a reference: If the shell covers the bottom of the can, it\u2019s a keeper.<\/p>\n<p>Additional information about Florida Sea Grant\u2019s recommended methods for sizing scallops is available online.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEven though not required, if you voluntarily collect only the larger scallops, you will help ensure smaller scallops have a chance to grow large enough to spawn and contribute to the population,\u201d according to the revised Ask IFAS guide. \u201cLarger scallops also produce enough meat to make cleaning them worthwhile.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Beyond safety and sustainability, the guide\u2019s authors endeavor to demystify shucking by providing step-by-step cleaning instructions, as well as a tutorial video illustrating the process. They stress proper handling of the catch, including keeping the extracted meat chilled and hands, tools and containers clean to prevent foodborne illness.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, the guide encourages courteousness: Avoid boating over seagrass beds, which scallops depend on for habitat, and don\u2019t dispose of scallop shells in water channels, canals, marinas and springs or on boat ramps.<\/p>\n<p>The 2024 hurricane season negatively impacted many coastal towns associated with scalloping, and some are still recovering, Hall-Scharf said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile you are enjoying this awesome summer activity, please be patient and respectful of the local community while they are recovering,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about scalloping by visiting Florida Sea Grant\u2019s official scalloping webpage, <a href=\"http:\/\/flseagrant.org\/fisheries\/scalloping\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">flseagrant.org\/fisheries\/scalloping\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/how-to\/scallop-season-opens-florida\/\">Scallop Season\u00a0Opens in Florida but Boat-to-Table Opportunities Abound<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/\">Boating Mag<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> \t<BR><br \/>\n <BR><\/BR><br \/>\n    Kevin Falvey<br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/how-to\/scallop-season-opens-florida\/\">Go to boatingmag<\/a><br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n <BR><\/BR><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Scallop Season\u00a0Opens in Florida but Boat-to-Table Opportunities Abound Snorkelers searching for scallops congregate over seagrass beds as lookouts keep watch onboard their boats. Courtesy Tyler Jones, UF\/IFAS Florida bay scallop season has started, and seafood lovers from across the Sunshine State are already venturing off the coasts of Taylor and Dixie counties, where recreational harvesting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[126,4700,175],"tags":[127],"class_list":["post-12079","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-boatingmag","category-florida","category-how-to","tag-boatingmag"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12079"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12079"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12079\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12079"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12079"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12079"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}