PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Scallop season is on pause in Pasco County after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shut down the waters along the county’s coast.
The agency says toxins were found at levels above safety thresholds.
People can still scallop, but they can’t harvest them.
Scalloping has been a boon for tourism and the economy since it returned to the county in 2018. A local boat captain is concerned about what the pause will mean for business.
Mark Dillingham has made a living for the last 22 years chartering fishing and scalloping expeditions. He has seen it all, from a 25-year scalloping hiatus to help the population rebound to its return six years ago.
“It seemed like a lot of people were excited,” he said. “The people even in Hillsborough and Pinellas County, we got a lot of residents that came here.”
Dillingham said he has already had two groups cancel since FWC’s announcement.
“Obviously, unless they reopen (scallop season), then all those charters are gonna be gone,” he said. “And it’s not just me, it’s a lot of charter captains.”
Last year’s 37-day season brought in more than 43,000 people and a total impact of more than $11 million, according to Florida’s Sports Coast. This season was supposed to be 40 days.
The season started July 10 and was supposed to run through Aug. 18, before it was put on pause by FWC on Wednesday.
Spectrum Bay News 9’s Sarah Blazonis has more in the video link above.