May 12, 2016 — The Gulf County Tourist Development Council Advisory Committee adopted a rapid response plan during its regular meeting last week to address the possibility the 2016 scallop season will be cancelled by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
A final decision on the season will be made by the FWC, which intends to hold local public workshops this month and next, in June.
The Board of County Commissioners last week passed a resolution sent to the FWC suggesting alternatives to cancellation, such as size limits, smaller bag counts or a shorter season.
Jennifer Jenkins, TDC executive director, confirmed that FWC officials would conduct their regular scallop surveys of the bay in June and present those findings at an FWC meeting June 22-23, after which a decision would be made.
Currently, scallop season is set to open Saturday, June 25.