Recreational bay scallop season to close next week

MIAMI (AP) -- Florida wildlife officials say recreational bay scallop season has been extended to help increase business opportunities at a time when other fisheries are closed and tourism is down.

A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report released Tuesday says the season was extended for two weeks. The last day of harvesting is Sept. 24. Surveys will be done after the season closes to assess the scallop population.

FWC says the season was first extended in 2010 and 2011 after the oil spill. This season began July 1.

Bay scallops can be recreationally harvested in Gulf of Mexico state waters from the Pasco-Hernando County line northward to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County.

There is no commercial harvest for bay scallops in Florida state waters.

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