FLORIDA (WTXL) - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says that scallop season in all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal through to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County has been postponed.
Officials say that the decision is a precautionary measure due to a naturally occurring algae bloom in St. Joseph Bay that affects shellfish.
The bay scallop harvest originally scheduled to begin on July 25th. The scallop season is expected to be closed a minimum of two weeks.
The FWC says they and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) will continue sampling and testing scallops and other shellfish in the bay to determine when they are safe for eating.
In the mean time, the bay scallop season in state waters from the Fenholloway River in Taylor County to the Suwannee River in Dixie County is currently open to harvest and will close to harvest on Sept. 10.
FWC says that it is coordinating with the Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and FDACS and to provide support and assistance as needed.
