As the buzz of summer on the Gulf Coast begins to wind down, scalloping season is just getting started. In 2024, scalloping season in St. Joseph Bay and Gulf County runs from August 16 to September 24. Other regions in this time period include all state water from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County.
Scalloping is an old Florida tradition of harvesting and collecting bay scallops ready to be thrown in the skillet. We’re here to tell you more about these funky underwater treasures and help you understand the dos and don’ts before you go on the hunt.
Bay scallops, also known as “blue-eyed scallops,” are a tasty saltwater clam that lives in shallow grassy water along the Gulf Coast. They are classified as “bivalvia” members of the Phylum Mollusca, with two shells joined by a hinge. Inside the shell, through their short tentacles, are their gills and the muscle, which is the part we eat. They get the name “blue-eyed scallops” from their many tiny blue eyes that dot the outer inside of their shells, as seen below. They use these eyes to detect predators and swim by opening and closing their shells to thrust them through the water. Once they spot you, the chase is on.
Historically, scallops have been found along the Atlantic Coast all the way to Pensacola. However, in recent years, their numbers have been dwindling into isolated populations. Scallops are sensitive to environmental changes and can easily be wiped out of areas if there are enough disturbances. To combat this, regulations have been put in place to protect this species, such as designated harvesting seasons.
Rules To Remember
- If you are not taking a charter, saltwater Florida fishing licenses are required to collect scallops for anyone between the ages of 16 and 65. Don’t let that scare you away! Fishing licenses are actually quite easy to apply for and can be as little as $17 for a three-day pass. More detailed information on saltwater fishing licenses can be found here.
- You can only collect scallops by hand or by handheld nets. This prevents overfishing and really adds to the satisfaction of securing your catch.
- There is a limit of two gallons of scallops in shell or one pint of bay scallop meat per person and a maximum of 10 gallons in shell and a half-gallon in meat per boat. If you are unsure, gallon buckets are good tools to have on board to help.
- Divers-down warnings are needed to indicate when people are swimming in the water. The most common warnings are flags or buoys.
- Buoys must have the flag prominently displayed on at least three of four sides and be visible on the water surface, not inside the vessel.
- A divers-down flag is a red square with a white line through it. It must be at least 12×12 inches in the water. If it is being flown on a boat, it must be at a high point and 20×24 inches, as seen below. Wire stiffeners are recommended to ensure that the flag remains unfurled.
- If you are a boater and you see either of these things, it is common practice to maintain a distance of 300 feet from the vessel in open water and 100 feet in rivers or tight channels and slow down to an idle speed.
- When everyone is out of the water, be sure to remove your buoy or put down your flag.
What To Bring
- Goggles for spotting in the water.
- A snorkel to make things a little easier.
- Fins or water shoes to protect your feet in the seagrass.
- A net or bag for collecting while swimming.
- A bucket, cooler or container for keeping your scallops.
- Plenty of ice. It is important to keep your scallops at a cool, safe temperature. Once they get too hot, it is not recommended to eat them.
Charters Options
Don’t have your own boat? No worries! There are many charter options that will be happy to take you out. Some of those charters include:
You can also search for charters on the Gulf County website.
Places To Stay
Last but not least, if you are not a local daytripper or you are just looking to make a weekend out of it, there are plenty of places to stay in Gulf County. Port St. Joe, in particular, is one of the more popular local areas for scalloping, and there are plenty of vacation homes and condos available in the area. If you are feeling extra adventurous, Black’s Island, which you can only get to by boat, also houses accommodations.
Happy scalloping!
