The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced a temporary closure of the recreational regional bay scallop harvest season in the Gulf County Zone.
The Gulf County Zone bay scallop season is closed to harvest. This region includes all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County, including St. Joseph Bay.
The FWC is tasked with proactively testing and acting to keep Floridians safe. FWC said this precautionary measure is due to the detection of toxin-producing algae Pseudo-nitzschia and Pyrodinium bahamense.
The Gulf County Zone could reopen for scallop harvesting once tests show levels have decreased to safe limits.
In the Gulf County Zone, scallop harvesting is currently suspended. However, the area is still open for other recreational activities including fishing, boating and swimming.
According to FWC, the Pasco Zone reopened to the recreational harvest of bay scallops beginning September 6th, continuing through September 21st.
For more information and updates on the temporary closure of regional bay scallop harvest season in the Gulf County Zone., visit FWC online.
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