Introduction The bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) was once common in the lower portions of the Pensacola Bay system. However, by 1970 they were all but gone. Closely associated with seagrass, especially turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
UPDATE (8-27-2024): Pasco scallop season reopens, starting August 28th, 2024. FWC has reopened and extended the recreational scallop season in Pasco County. After continuous testing, measured levels for both the algae (Pyrodinium bahamense) ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Food Safety, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, WildlifeI remember scalloping when I was young. We traveled to Port St. Joe Florida and camped at a local fish camp. We pitched our tent right at the edge of the water, which was a mistake because we felt the bumps and movements of the fiddler crabs ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Summertime along Florida’s Nature Coast offers a unique adventure: recreational scalloping. Enthusiasts and families alike eagerly anticipate this activity, seeking out the bay scallops that inhabit the shallow seagrass beds. These fascinating ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Florida’s recreational scalloping season begins Saturday with shores off Dixie County and part of Taylor County opening for harvest and those along other Gulf Coast counties soon to follow. (more…) READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Recreation, Water, Wildlife
Changing Role of Scallop Sorters in Recreational Scalloping Harvests Nestled along the serene Gulf coast of Florida lies the Big Bend region. A hidden gem known for its picturesque landscapes and abundant marine life. Among the many ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation
As I write this, we are in the middle of our 2023 Scallop Search, an event we do each year to assess whether the scallops in Pensacola Bay are trying to make a comeback on their own. Each year I am amazed at how popular this little mollusk ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
My favorite thing about summer is the food. I think that’s because it’s more adventurous. There’s a mild risk factor involved with eating outdoors, contending with sun and sand, shooing away bugs, and lighting a charcoal fire that adds ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is the agency responsible for evaluating the status of scallop populations in Florida's Gulf of Mexico waters. FWC uses pre-season counts to estimate the size of the harvestable population. ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WaterIntroduction The bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) was once a common bivalve in the lower portion of Pensacola Bay. Found in the thick grassbeds of Big Lagoon and Santa Rosa Sound, it provided both a recreational and commercial fishery ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources