Saturday, August 29

The Scallop Search is Sarasota Bay Watch’s signature event. It launches from the Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant, 760 Broadway Street, North Longboat Key. Lunch is provided for participants by Mar Vista Restaurant. This water-based family event fills to capacity every year!

HISTORY: Scallops have been largely absent from Sarasota Bay waters since the 1960s due to dredging and land development (the Florida Land Rush), the accompanying population boom and associated water quality issues. Today there have been improvements in water quality and a resurgence of seagrass beds to levels that may once again support these important bivalves in Sarasota Bay.

In 2008 Sarasota Bay Watch was launched with its first scallop search in Sarasota Bay waters. Since that time SBW has held an annual scallop search every August. The search benefits scientists, environmental organizations, local businesses and the citizens of Sarasota and Manatee Counties by documenting the health of the Bay through the presence of scallops. Our annual Scallop Search is one component of a community-lead restoration project to re-establish scallops in Sarasota Bay.

Reservations are required to participate in the event (see below). Space is limited, Boats limited to 50, kayaks welcome! No boat? Sign on as a crew member. Participants will be equipped and trained on how to search for scallops in seagrass. Experts from the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) will be on hand to answer questions and there will be a touch tank on display.