Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner    -    Sherman Wilhelm, Director

Shellfish Harvesting Management

View the daily open/closed status of a particular area.

Management plans based on rainfall or river levels are used to predict when areas should be closed for shellfish harvesting because elevated levels of bacteria make the shellfish unsafe for human consumption. Areas also may be closed under emergency conditions, such as red tide blooms, hurricanes, or tropical storms. Shellfish areas are reopened for harvest when sampling demonstrates that stringent water quality criteria are met to ensure that shellfish are wholesome.

Area open or closed status and maps illustrating shellfish area classifications may be obtained from SEAS offices 24 hours a day.

Headquarters: 850/488-5471
1203 Governors Square Boulevard
Fifth Floor
Tallahassee, Florida 32301 		Western Gulf: 850/236-2200
4408 Dellwood Lane
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
Big Bend Gulf: 352/543-5181
11350 Southwest 153 rd Court
Cedar Key, FL 32625 		Atlantic: 321/984-4890
1378 Malabar Road
Suite 1
Palm Bay, FL 32909
Central Gulf: 850/653-8317
260 7th Street
Apalachicola, FL 32320 		South Gulf: 941/833-2552
25418 East Marion Avenue
Unit 1 Space A
Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Florida Shellfish Law Enforcement
Additional Sources of Information

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Bureau of Marine Enforcement (Formerly Florida Marine Patrol) is responsible for enforcement of shellfish regulations. Information on licenses required to engage in commercial harvest, harvest seasons, and gear or bag limits may be obtained from FWC offices.


Cultured Shellfish Are Protected By Law
Chapter 597.0045, Florida Statute

REWARD Up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals unlawfully possessing or harvesting cultured shellfish.

REPORT VIOLATIONS: 1-800-DIAL-869