State biologists seek help on scallop population survey

State biologists want to know how many bay scallops live along Florida’s coast and they are asking for help people who actually harvest the creatures.
Every year researchers go on dive surveys at several bay scallop locations; Researchers conduct counts at sites ranging from Pensacola Bay in the Panhandle to Pine Island Sound in southwestern Florida, including areas that remain closed to recreational harvesters.
But they don’t have the time to do a full survey.
So now the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute is turning to recreational harvesters for help.
To make public participation as easy as possible, researchers have started an on-line survey where recreational harvesters are asked to indicate where they harvest scallops, how many they collect, and how long it takes to harvest the shellfish.
The information will be compiled to complement the researchers' annual population data.
The web address to take the survey has been posted on this story on the news page at oysterradio.com.
Participants can also e-mail BayScallops@MyFWC.com to ask questions or send additional information, such as photos and videos.

Take the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bayscallops


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