Scallop search

Hundreds of volunteers from across the Tampa Bay area will hit the water this Saturday for the annual Great Bay Scallop search. The event, sponsored by Tampa BayWatch, has been held every year since 1993, and by all accounts, 2008 could be a record year.

Researchers who monitor the area's fragile bay scallop population have found record numbers of these tasty mollusks. And although the recreational scalloping season is closed south of the Pasco County line, volunteers can still do their share by helping gather data to help in the management of this species.

Scallop populations fluctuate from year to year. In 2005, the year of a devastating red tide, volunteers only found one scallop. The following year, that number had increased to 17. But in 2007, the number jumped to 555.

Scallops are found year round in Tampa Bay. It takes a scallop about 12 to 18 months for a scallop to reach its full size of two inches. They are easily spotted hiding in the sea grass as snorkelers swim along the surface.

To register for this event, call Rachael Arndt at (727) 867-8166.