Scallop count canceled

Posted on October 8, 2021

The multi-agency post-season scallop count has been canceled after poor visibility threatened to postpone the event for a second time.

“Water clarity conditions are still bad, with less than two feet of visibility,” UF Marine Agent Victor Blanco said.

The count, which was originally scheduled for Sept. 8 before being postponed to Oct. 5, will now be conducted by the Extension Office, volunteer divers and local charter captains as conditions allow.

The count was previously postponed for similar reasons after volunteers gathered on Sept. 8, only to be met by two- to four-foot seas and two feet of visibility.

The volunteer collection of data will be used to estimate the existing scallop population, as well as to determine season dates and bag limits for the coming season.