Great Bay Scallop Search boater at Emerson Point

Saturday August 2

Other dates...

9:00 AM  –  1:00 PM

*** This site can only accommodate flats boats able to float in 8 inches of water or less ***
 
Tampa Bay Watch, in partnership with Tampa Bay Estuary Program, is recruiting volunteers with shallow draft boats to participate in the Great Bay Scallop Search. If you have a kayak, canoe, gheenoe, or paddle board, please do not register in this category.
 
Each boat will be assigned a site and snorkel to count elusive bay scallops. This registration's meeting location is Emerson Point, 5801 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL 34221, where participants will receive survey equipment and instructions for the monitoring event.
 
The Scallop Search has been conducted annually since 1993 with a goal to monitor and document the health and status of the bay scallop population. At each site, a weighted transect line of 50 meters in length is laid along seagrass beds. Snorkelers count scallops along each side of the transect line, within one meter of each side, creating a 100 square meter survey area.
 
There are always volunteers without boats who would like to participate in the event, so please let us know in your registration if you could accommodate any additional volunteer snorkelers. 
 
Family and friends who will be on your boat do not to register separately as a volunteer snorkelers.
 
Sign up fast for this popular event and help us tally up the bay scallop population in Tampa Bay! We'll treat you to a free lunch and a t-shirt upon your return to the boat ramp.
 
The number that you enter below indicates the total number of boats in your party. Thank you!
Free