Register now for 9th Annual Great Bay Scallop Search!

When: Saturday, August 13, 2016
Why: To annually monitor our bay scallop populations and to support the scientific study of scallops
Where: Sarasota Sailing Squadron, 1717 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236
What To Bring: Able-bodied swimmers with sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, dive gloves, mask, snorkel, fins, and water shoes. Weight belt optional, but recommended.

BOATERS....we need you! Non-boaters will be placed on boats as space permits*. Sign Up Today!

Boaters interested in searching the northern bay can pick up equipment at Coquina Beach, 1800 Gulf Dr N, Bradenton Beach, FL prior to the event, Sarasota Bay Watch will announce date.

Schedule: • Captains' meeting is at 8:30 a.m. • Scallop search begins at 9:00 a.m. sharp and ends around 12:30 p.m. • Complimentary lunch following search, 12:30 p.m.

***This is a NO HARVEST event***

*We will attempt to get those without boats onto vessels, space permitting.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! This event fills to capacity every year. Register now!

Reservations are required to participate in the event. Space is limited, Boats limited to 50, kayaks welcome! No boat? Sign on as a crew member and you will be placed on a boat, space permitting. 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.

HISTORY: Scallops have been largely absent from Sarasota Bay waters since the 1960s due to dredging and land development (See: 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.