June 30, 2016 — Apparently one message from locals was heard by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
There was certainly public feedback that in the face of declining numbers the 2016 scallop season should be, as agency researchers had planned in April, suspended in St. Joseph Bay.
But, the board of the FWC last week also took note of the economics and input from some sectors that any season was better than no season and decided to shorten, but not suspend, the 2016 bay scallop harvest season in St. Joseph Bay.
The decision came two days before the bay scallop season began statewide.
In the other areas of the state where scallop populations support public harvesting, the season began last Saturday and will continue through Sept. 24.