Tampa Bay Watch, in partnership with Tampa Bay Estuary Program, is recruiting volunteers with canoes or kayaks to participate in the Great Bay Scallop Search. Gheenoes and stand up paddle boards are also suitable for this registration category.
This meeting location is Emerson Point, 5801 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL 34221, where participants will report to the boat ramp at 9 AM to receive survey equipment and instructions for the monitoring event. We have five nearshore sites for canoes/kayaks, so each site will have a group of four kayaks.
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.
We'll treat you to a free lunch and a t-shirt upon your return to the boat ramp and tally results in a festive atmosphere as boats return to the ramp.
Sign up fast for this popular event and help us tally up the bay scallop population in Tampa Bay!
The number that you enter below indicates the total number of kayaks in your party. Thank you!