With bay scallop season in full swing for all but the two smallest harvest regions, the state of Florida is encouraging scallopers to stay safe and to use their mandatory dive flags.
A divers-down flag displayed on a boat must be at least 20 inches by 24 inches. It must also displayed at the highest point where it can be observed from 360 degrees. A divers-down flag or buoy, displayed from the water, must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches. A flag must have a wire or other stiffener to hold it open, and a buoy may be three- or four-sided. All divers must prominently display a divers-down device.
Bay Scallop Season and Boats
All vessels must make reasonable effort to stay at least 100 feet away from a divers-down device within a river, inlet or channel. In open waters, vessels must make reasonable effort to stay 300 feet away. For safety, divers should stay within those same distances of their displayed device. A vessel that approaches closer must be fully off plane and at idle speed.
Scalloping season is currently open for the waters off Franklin, Wakulla and northwestern Taylor counties as well as Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties. It will remain open through Sept. 24 in these zones. Harvest is also open for the rest of Taylor County and all of Dixie County, where it will remain open through Sept. 10.
In Gulf County, including St. Joseph Bay, scalloping season will open Aug. 17 and continue through Sept. 30. Pasco County will open July 20-29.
For more information on bay scallop season, including bag limits, go to the scalloping page at myfwc.com.