The eagerly awaited bay scallop harvesting season is now open in the Fenholloway-Suwannee River Zone, inviting locals and visitors to celebrate a beloved Florida Nature Coast tradition.

 

Running from June 15 to September 1, the season covers all state waters in Dixie County, parts of Taylor County—including Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee—and select areas of Levy County.

 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission urges scallopers to follow regulations that safeguard both sustainability and community safety.

 

In June, daily bag limits are 1 gallon of whole scallops or 1 cup shucked per person, increasing in July to 2 gallons or 1 pint shucked, with strict vessel maximums.

 

Only hand harvesting or using dip nets is allowed, and a valid Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless exempt.

 

Local businesses are poised to benefit from the seasonal influx, while participants are reminded to observe safety near divers and boats.

 

Enjoy this special coastal tradition by following the rules and savoring the natural bounty.

Seagrass meadows across Florida’s coastline are making a strong comeback, driven by focused restoration efforts.

 

In the Florida Panhandle, teams with the Seagrass Recovery Project are working in St. Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve, where sediment tubes and bird stakes support new seagrass growth after mapping out boat damage. This initiative aims to heal roughly two acres of vital habitat, boosting the bay’s ecological vitality.

 

Sarasota Bay is also seeing progress as researchers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and Gulf Shellfish Institute team up to restore both seagrass and southern hard clams. By adding more than 46,000 clams to targeted plots, they’re harnessing the natural filtering power of these shellfish to revitalize water quality and seagrass beds.

 

Meanwhile, restoration continues in the Florida Keys, where experts respond to past ship damage by replanting seagrass and restoring lost sediment near Key West.

 

These projects safeguard marine life, stabilize coastlines, and promise a brighter future for Florida’s treasured waters.