Scalloping in the Nature Coast
Scalloping is fun, productive, and a major economic driver for the region. Use these resources to learn all about scalloping.
Scalloping in the Nature Coast
Scalloping is fun, productive, and a major economic driver for the region. Use these resources to learn all about scalloping.
- Preparing to Go Scalloping
Find out all you need to know to be ready for a fun and safe scalloping experience. The sections below will help you prepare for your scalloping adventure!
Gather Personal Equipment
snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins)
- mesh bag and/or dip net to harvest scallops
- plenty of water
- hat and sunscreen
- 1-3mm wetsuit (if you tend to get cold)
- sun suit or shirt
- gloves (optional)
Check License and Regulations
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. FWC manages the fishery by opening certain zones along the Big Bend to scalloping at different times. This makes the rules more complicated for scallopers, so be sure you understand the open and closed seasons and areas. Check FWC’s website for the most up-to-date information on open dates and zones.
A brief summary of basic rules is provided below (current as of Feb 2021).
- Daily Bag Limit: 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person; Maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or 1/2 gallon bay scallop meat (4 pints) per vessel. These rules apply in all zones and seasons except in the Fenholloway to Suwannee zone (yellow shaded zone in FWC’s map) where the bag limit is lowered to 1/2 of the per person and vessel limit from June 15 to 30.
- Minimum Size Limit: None, though it is recommended that you toss back scallops smaller than 2 inches across (the size of the bottom of a soda can or smaller).
- Gear requirements: Scallops may only be landed by hand or by using a dip net, no other harvest methods are allowed.
- Transit through closed areas: In past years, it was illegal to land or possess scallops outside open harvest areas. Starting in 2019, it became legal to directly transit through closed areas with legally harvested bay scallops on board. This means that you can harvest scallops from open areas and return directly to a boat access point in a closed area without stopping. You may not stop and fish for other species, for example, if you have scallops on board within a closed area. See the FWC’s regulations page for more, including details about GPS coordinates for harvest lines.
Pack Boating Safety Gear
Be sure to pack your divers down flag and familiarize yourself with the rules for displaying the flag. One of the most common divers down flag violations is displaying the flag while underway. Always remember to stow your flag before moving to a new location!
Also, check your standard boating safety equipment to be sure you have enough life jackets for every person aboard, a throwable flotation device, a sound-producing device such as a whistle or air horn, and a supply of visual distress signals in good condition (not wet or expired).
Finally, you’ll want a cooler with plenty of ice to keep scallops cool and safe to eat.
- Sustainable Scalloping
Following the best practices below will ensure the bay scallop fishery is protected for future generations to enjoy. See this comprehensive resource for a complete list of best practices related to planning your trip, protecting the fishery, and cleaning your catch.
Scalloping Best Practices
- Throw back small scallops. Scallops that are smaller than 2 inches (the size of the bottom of a soda can or smaller) usually have not spawned yet, meaning they have not had a chance to contribute to next year’s fishery. In Florida, bay scallops typically only live one year. So, it is important that as many scallops as possible have the opportunity to spawn each season. While it is not legally required, throwing back small scallops is a great way to do your part to protect the fishery. Also, small scallops have smaller muscle meat so it might not even be worth your while to shuck the small ones.
- Keep only what you will eat. While “limiting out” might seem like an obvious goal, don’t forget that someone will have to shuck all those scallops! One pint of scallop meat (the typical daily limit for one person) is roughly four servings of scallops. Rather than setting a goal of catching your limit, consider setting a more conservative goal based on how much meat you will actually eat. Scallop meat only keeps in the fridge for 1 day or about 3 months frozen. Plan accordingly!
- Never double dip. Locals and law enforcement officers in the bay scallop harvest areas often report “double dipping”, or scallopers going out for a second trip after landing one limit. Without question, this is illegal. But is is also highly unethical and shows disrespect for the fishery and the people with livelihoods that depend on bay scallops.
- Protect seagrass when boating. Be aware of seagrasses while boating in shallow areas! Many species, including bay scallops, depend on seagrasses. Damage from propellers and boat anchors (called seagrass scarring) reduces habitat quality and resilience of seagrasses over the long-term. Please visit the Be Seagrass Safe website for more information.
- Discard shells responsibly. Shells and soft tissues should be disposed of in open Gulf of Mexico waters with moderate to strong currents that are not channels, canals, marinas, springs, or boat ramps. Shells and soft tissues can cause problems for water quality and boating when dumped in high traffic areas close to shore. Shells disposed of in shallow swimming areas, such as springs or sandbars, pose a serious hazard to swimmers. If you clean your catch on shore, dispose of shells/soft tissues in the trash or clean and re-use for crafts or landscaping around the house.
Do your part!
Take the sustainable scalloping pledge. Got your catch? Head over to cleaning and cooking to find out how to enjoy this special Florida treat!
- Cleaning and Cooking Scallops
Follow the guidance below to make sure your catch is safe to eat and as delicious as possible!
- Safe Handling and Cooking. Ice down your catch. Place scallops on ice in a cooler until you clean them. Scallops will quickly die if left in the sun and will quickly spoil. Scallops will die quickly when placed on ice, especially if fresh water gets into their shells, but the cold temperature in the cooler keeps them from spoiling. Tip: store scallops by placing them on a wet towel on top of the ice in your cooler. This prevents meltwater from entering shells and can extend the amount of time scallops stay alive in the cooler, reducing bacterial growth. Placing scallops on ice makes them easier to open, because the muscle holding the shells together relaxes. Drain the meltwater periodically and add more ice if needed to keep scallops cold until shucking.
- Safe shucking. This video shows you all you need to know about safe and easy scallop shucking. To shuck your scallops, grab either a shellfish knife (dull/blunt tip) or a teaspoon. The goal is to extract the circular white muscle meat, being careful to remove as much of the surrounding soft tissue as possible. Give a watch to the video for some tips on how to shuck your catch.
- Cooking. Shellfish, such as oysters, that can be eaten raw are harvested from waters with very strict regulations. Scallops should be cooked because many open harvest areas for scallops are not subject to the same regulations. Food safety standards recommend that scallops should be cooked until the meat is opaque and white. This usually does not take long for bay scallops (about 3 minutes total in most cases), so be careful not to overcook. Check out the links below for recipe ideas and a cooking demonstration of one of our most popular recipes: simply delish scallops.
- Simply Delish Scallops (recipe card PDF)
- Florida Citrus (Seared Scallops with Florida Grapefruit)
- Florida Sportfishing (Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche)
Nature Coast Scalloping Brochures
Access a PDF copy of recreational scalloping brochures by county. These helpful guides include information about boat launch points, recipes, and a history of the bay scallop fishery for each county.
- Wakulla County
- Steinhatchee Keaton Beach Areas, Taylor County
- Citrus County
- Hernando County
- Pasco County
Scalloping Education
Each year, UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Sea Grant agents in the Nature Coast offer educational programs about scalloping.
- Safe Scallop Shucking
- Scallop Season Population Survey
- Recreational Scalloping
- Bay and Gulf Counties
- Hernando, Citrus, and Levy Counties
- Pasco County
- Taylor and Dixie Counties