Toxins Cause A Pause In Scalloping Season In Pasco County

Nooooo!! Scalloping season in Pasco County is on hold because of poor water quality. Scalloping is one of my family's favorite things to do in the summer. The kids call it an underwater Easter egg hunt! But unfortunately snorkeling and scallop season just came to a screeching halt for boaters and snorkelers. The Florida Wildlife officials announced on Wednesday that they are temporarily stopping recreational scallop harvesting after potentially harmful levels of an algal bloom was detected. 

It's called Pyrodinium bahamense and can build up in shellfish. The toxins are colorless, tasteless, and have no smell. Even cooking the scallops cannot destroy the toxins. If a person were to consume the toxin in a scallop, they would become ill as soon as 15 minutes after ingestion with symptoms that can last up to 45 days. These symptoms include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, respiratory issues, and headaches.  Even cooking the scallops will not get rid of the toxins. The wildlife commission advised Thursday that any scallops harvested in the Pasco zone since July 22 should be thrown away.

Most of the contaminated scallops were found mainly around the Anclote River. But closures include waters north of Anclote Key Lighthouse. Pasco waters are still open for fishing, boating, and swimming. Officials are hoping that these closures will help repopulate the scallops in the bay!

So where else can you still harvest scallops? It may be a bit of a drive but Captainexperinces.com lists the best 8 places to go scalloping in Florida. You can head up to the Panhandle for a weekend getaway. The Steinhatchee River and the surrounding grass flats provide ideal conditions for scallops. Another good option is Chassahowitzka River in Citrus County.

According to Tampa Bay Times, the waters will reopen when they test at safe levels established by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. 

One of the best parts about living in Tampa Bay is there is no shortage of things to do. Whether you want to take a day trip down south, over to Orlando, or hit the beaches, there’s always something to do. Here are the best spots to paddleboard in Tampa Bay.

Stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP for short, has exploded in the last few years for many reasons. It is one of the easiest sports and hobbies to pick up and it’s a great activity for the whole family, no matter how old. 

With so many great natural waterways to visit, some of the best spots to paddleboard in Tampa Bay are very easy to access. Unlike other board sports, stand-up paddleboarding doesn’t cost much so once you buy a board, you’re set.

Like classic TV shows such as Friends or The Office, stand-up paddle boarding is known for its cult-like following. Those who SUP, love to SUP. Its “laid-back culture” is what makes it a great activity for fitness lovers, fishermen, enthusiasts, or outdoorsmen, and the best part? Your dog can join you on the board.

Paddleboarding in Tampa Bay is one of the best ways to get outside and explore what Florida has to offer. With warm weather and sunshine year-round, you can ditch the treadmill and make paddleboarding part of your routine. 

Stand-up paddleboards are everywhere. There are so many options when it comes to choosing the board that’s right for you. From hardboards to inflatable boards, there are many different options to choose from.

Two of the best paddleboard brands are headquartered in Florida with one even right here in Clearwater. LIVE Watersports started right here in Clearwater, Florida, and makes some of the sturdiest boards on the market.

LIVE Watersports boards might be on the pricier end, but they’re durable, sturdy, and offer a unique shape that other manufacturers don’t. Another Florida-based brand is BOTE Boards. BOTE makes inflatable boards as well as hardboards and many different price points and skill levels.

You can find boards at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports, and other local sports stores in the area. 

Weeki Wachee Springs is one of the best spots to paddleboard in Tampa Bay area. Weeki Wachee is about an hour north of Tampa and offers miles of crystal-clear water with manatees and other wildlife to see.

Weedon Island Preserve is just across the bay from Tampa and is located in St. Petersburg. Weedon Island has over 3,100 acres of natural mangroves. It’s a great spot to fish from your paddleboard or catch a glimpse into the wildlife of Florida. 

If you’re looking to encounter manatees up close, why not do it in the manatee capital of the world? Crystal River is one of those small towns with endless activities to do. Crystal River has some of the clearest blue water you’ll ever find and is a great spot for a relaxing paddle board cruise with so much to see. 

Fort De Soto is home to over 1,100 acres of beach plants, mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks and more across 5 keys. This makes it the perfect spot to grab your paddle board and spend the day in some of Pinellas County's best wildlife parks. You won't find any high-rise condos out here so there's plenty of space to get escape for the day.

Caladesi Island State Park is one of the last remaining untouched islands along Florida's Gulf Coast. Caladesi is only accessible by boat which makes it the perfect way to spend the day paddle boarding through the white sand beaches and mangrove forests.

If you're looking to paddleboard with some gators, the Myakka River is the place to be. With 60 miles of great fishing and wildlife to see, Myakka River is perfect for an all-day adventure off-grid.