HOLIDAY, Fla. — Permanent changes are likely coming for a popular recreational activity in Pasco County that brings in millions of tourism dollars. Later this month, Florida Fish and Wildlife commissioners are set to increase the bay scallop season in Pasco from 10 to 40 days.
The captains we spoke with who offer charters in Pasco County say make no mistake, the last few years have been great for their bottom line but now there are concerns that expanding this season permanently from 10 to 40 days could lead to overharvesting.
Captain Wendy Longman owns Windsong Charters and Boat Rentals and says it's like Christmas in July if you're on the hunt for bay scallops. A gift only five years old after more than two decades of a scalloping ban because of dwindling stock.
"It's been exponential, really has been,” she says. “Once they opened Pasco, it was really nice because all those people from the south would go through Pasco, now they're coming to Pasco."
Since 2018, it's been a 10-day season in Pasco for bay scallops. Then last year, an executive order from Gov. DeSantis made it 37 days. The FWC studied the change, heard from the public, and this month made a formal recommendation to commissioners to permanently change the Pasco season for scallops to 40 days.
It would begin on July 10 and run through Aug. 18 each year.
In its proposed final rule, FWC staff tell commissioners the decision was “informed by stakeholder feedback following the season and post-season bay scallop surveys conducted by the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, and it also addresses safety concerns from Pasco County officials and FWC law enforcement.”
They further state the commissioners should “approve the proposed final rule for advertising and file for final adoption without further hearing, unless requested."
“Obviously, I profit when the season is extended longer,” Captain Jason Dozier of Fishn FL Charters said. “But also we want to make sure that my kids and their kids and the next generation can enjoy doing what we're doing.”
Both captains say it's a fantastic family outing but if it grows too popular, the scallop population could go away again.
"It's gonna go 'bye-bye,” Longman said. “And then we'll be shut down for another 24 years."
If you're thinking about going out and shucking some of your own scallops come summer, those captains have another piece of advice for you. Limit your catch, don't catch your limit. Even though you can take up to two gallons of scallops, even a gallon will give you plenty of meat to enjoy.
Fish and Wildlife commissioners will take up the recommended change to a 40-day season in Pasco County at their meeting on Feb. 21.