April 28, 2016 — GULF COUNTY, Fla. — Scalloping is a major part of the tourism economy in Gulf County, but this year they may have to do without.
The culprit is red tide. Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission say in the 18 years they’ve been monitoring scallops, they’ve never had to cancel the season. This year it’s looking like it may come to that.
“Most people like doing it because it’s an underwater Easter egg hunt and it’s just a great way to spend the day,” said Local Dusty May.
On Wednesday, the FWC held a meeting to discuss whether to cancel the scalloping season all together.
“Bay scallops were negatively impacted by the red tide that came last year,” said Amanda Nalley, Spokesperson for FWC. “It did come during a time that was very important to scallops. It was during the spawning season and when larva was in the water, so that is why the scallop population was affected.”