What You ll Learn. Image credit, Bryan Fluech

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2 What You ll Learn 1. Useful information on scalloping regulations, safety, and handling practices 2. Basic biology and life history of the bay scallop 3. How bay scallop populations are monitored in Florida to ensure their long-term sustainability Image credit, Bryan Fluech

3 A Florida Tradition Image credits, Florida Sea Grant

4 Bay Scallop Basics Bivalve mollusk Historically throughout Florida's west coast to West Palm Beach on east coast Short-lived: months Inhabits shallow bays and estuaries seagrass dependent coz.southernfriedscience.com

5 2011 Bay Scallop Season Jun 25 Sep 25, 2011* Pasco/Hernando line northwest to west bank of Mexico Beach canal (Bay County) Image credit: FWC

6 What is the legal bag limit of whole scallops an individual is allowed to harvest in a single day? A. 1 gallon B. 2 gallons C. 3 gallons Image credit, Bryan Fluech D. 4 gallons

7 Scallop Regulations Commercial harvest prohibited Fishing license required Bag limits: 2 gallons per person whole or 1 pint of meat per person per day 10 gallon whole or 1/2 gallon shucked meats limit per vessel per day Harvest methods: By hand Landing or dip net Must remain in authorized areas while in while in possession on the water FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline: Image credit, Chuck Adams

8 Equipment Swim mask Snorkel Snorkel vest Fins/ water shoes Small mesh bag Divers-down flag (required by law) Image from: Runn in Shallow Guide Service Sunscreen/ t-shirt for sunburn; cooler, water, food, polarized sunglasses Image credit: FWC

9 Getting There Contact visitor & convention bureaus Licensed fishing guides Boat rentals Refer to boating and angler guides Access points/ navigable waters Look for other boats

10 Responsible Boating Be mindful of other boaters; boating regulations Protect seagrasses! watch your depth, anchoring Image credit: Fiona Sunquist Image credit:

11 Often on/near bottom Collecting Scallops Try to find margins of seagrass easier to find Scallops can be patchy Vary your depth 2-10 feet Image credit:s Bryan Fluech Image credit: Florida Sea Grant

12 Once you return to the boat you should immediately A. Boil your scallops to eliminate harmful bacteria B. Lay out your scallops to dry in the sun C. Store your scallops on ice D. Submerge your scallops in fresh water Image credit: Bryan Fluech

13 Storing Scallops When brought to the boat, scallops should be immediately placed on ice in a cooler. Image credit: Florida Sportsman Magazine

14 Cleaning Scallops Insert a knife blade or sharpened spoon between shells and cut away the muscle at its attachment to the top shell. Remove the dark innards by gently scraping from hinge to front with knife or spoon. Scrape away the scallop muscle from bottom shell* Images from:

15 Good to Eat and Good for You Firm texture/ distinctly sweet flavor Creamy white to light tan/ pink coloration High quality protein; low saturated fat/ calories Based on 4 oz of raw edible portions: Source FDACS

16 Storing/Cooking Tips Avoid Eating Whole Scallops Raw Fresh: Eat within hours Do NOT store in water Frozen: Store up to 4 months Place in air-tight container Photo credit: FWC Cook Thoroughly Center is opaque and white Avoid overcooking Keep it Cold, Keep it Clean, Keep it Moving!!!!

17 An Estuary Barometer Efficient filter feeders Highly sensitive to changes in water quality Prefers higher salinities (>20 ppt)

18 Vision and Movement Dozens of eyes to detect motion, light and dark Helps to detect predators Image credit: Bryan Fluech Force water from valves to swim short distances Helps to avoid predators

19 True or False? Bay scallops are extremely vulnerable to cold weather events. A. True B. False Image credit: FWC

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21 Reproduction, Dispersal & Settlement Source: S. Geiger, FWC

22 Bay Scallops Grow Fast Photo credit: J. Cobb Spat recruits grow a few millimeters in a few weeks Some up to quarter size Scallops to the left represent 2-6 weeks post-settlement sizes

23 Monitoring Efforts FWC monitors bay scallop populations to maintain a healthy breeding population Deploy sets of citrus bags to mimic seagrass Visual monitoring of spat settlement Image credits: FWC

24 Florida s Historic Scallop Landings

25 Florida Stocks Current population is a remnant of past numbers Core population centered around Big Bend region 2 subspecies A. irradians amplicostatus A. irradians concentricus Image credit: FWC

26 FWC/FWRI Conducts Annual Adult Surveys Image credit: FWC

27 Scallop Harvest Criteria Image credit: FWC Density: > 25 scallops per 600 sq m = healthy population level Distribution: scallops evenly distributed in harvest area Resiliency: Population of adults recover after poor years

28 SW Florida Restoration Methods Anchored cages Booms Free releases Hanging cages

29 Get in on the Action! Sarasota Bay Watch Scallop Search: Aug 13 th Pine Island Scallop Search: Aug 13 th Charlotte Harbor Scallop Search: Aug 27 th Tampa Bay Watch Great Scallop Search: Aug 27 th Image credit: Tampa Bay Watch

30 Bay Scallop Resources Florida Sea Grant:

31 Don t forget to complete the online evaluation that will be ed to you!