FWC closes Gulf County Zone to recreational bay scallop harvesting for the 2026 season after survey finds very low abundance

Florida – Recreational bay scallop harvesting will not be allowed in the Gulf County Zone during the 2026 season after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced a precautionary closure aimed at giving the local scallop population a chance to recover.

The closure covers state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County westward through the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County. The area includes St. Joseph Bay, where state wildlife researchers found very low numbers of bay scallops during a summer 2026 survey.

The findings prompted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute to recommend a cautious approach to this year’s recreational harvest. With fewer scallops being observed in St. Joseph Bay, officials are concerned about the population’s ability to reproduce and support future seasons.

By stopping harvest for the 2026 season, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hopes the remaining scallops will have a better opportunity to reproduce. The goal is to increase the number of offspring entering the population and improve the chances of rebuilding the scallop resource in the region.

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The closure is focused specifically on recreational bay scallop harvesting. Other activities in the Gulf County Zone are still allowed. Residents and visitors can continue fishing, boating and swimming in the affected waters, provided they follow all other applicable regulations.

The decision follows monitoring conducted by FWC researchers, who regularly track bay scallop populations and conditions in Florida waters. The latest survey in St. Joseph Bay showed that the number of scallops was low enough to raise concerns about the health of the local population.

FWC said it plans to continue monitoring the area while also working with members of the local community on possible restoration efforts. Those efforts are expected to focus on identifying ways to improve conditions for bay scallops and support the population over the longer term.

The agency’s decision does not apply to all Florida waters where recreational scallop harvesting is permitted. State waters of Franklin County beginning east of the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island and extending through Hernando County remain open for recreational bay scallop harvest.

That means scallop harvesters will still have access to other portions of Florida’s Gulf Coast during the 2026 season, but they must be aware of the boundaries of the closed Gulf County Zone before entering the water.

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For people who regularly visit St. Joseph Bay and surrounding waters, the closure means that collecting bay scallops will not be an option this year. However, the area’s other recreational opportunities remain available.

The FWC described the closure as a precautionary measure rather than a permanent restriction. The agency’s intention is to allow existing scallops to remain in the water and reproduce, potentially helping the population recover enough to support future recreational seasons.

Monitoring will play an important role in determining how the population develops. FWC researchers will continue to assess bay scallop abundance and the condition of the resource, while the agency works with local communities on restoration strategies.

Bay scallops are an important part of Florida’s coastal recreational activities, and the seasonal fishery draws residents and visitors to the state’s Gulf Coast. Managing the harvest helps wildlife officials balance recreational use with the need to protect the resource for future years.

The closure is now in effect for the 2026 recreational bay scallop season in the Gulf County Zone. Anyone planning to harvest scallops should check the current regulations and make sure the area they intend to visit remains open.

More information about bay scallop regulations, closed areas and future updates is available through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at MyFWC.com/BayScallops.

FWC officials will continue to monitor St. Joseph Bay and the surrounding region as they look for signs of recovery. For now, the closure gives the remaining scallops an opportunity to reproduce without recreational harvesting pressure, while allowing other activities such as fishing, boating and swimming to continue in the affected waters.