Scallop Season Now Open in Citrus County – Protect Yourself, Know Your Rights

Scallop season is now officially open in Citrus County and has been extended by two weeks to Sept. 25. Since Citrus County is famous for some of the best scalloping in Florida, it is important to be familiar with the regulations and requirements for scalloping and understand the risks associated with boating and fishing accidents.

Scalloping requires a boat and at least a snorkel, as Citrus County’s bay scallops sit in sea grass beds under five or six feet of water on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. State regulations permit each person to gather two gallons of whole bay scallops or one pint of meat, with no more than 10 gallons of whole scallops on any boat at any time. Scallops may be collected by hand or with a landing or dip net. A Florida fishing license is required for scallopers over the age of 16.

Recreational and commercial boating and fishing accidents are far too common and are often the result of negligence. When an accident occurs on or off shore, serious injuries and wrongful death can occur. The Citrus County Maritime Law Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help those injured in a fishing accident recover financial compensation for their injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there were 742 total boating accidents in 2011 involving 431 injuries. Of those injured, 40 percent were classified as boat operators and 59 percent were passengers. Additionally, there were 62 fatal boating accidents involving 67 fatalities in 2011. The primary causes of these boating accidents and fatalities included alcohol use, machinery failure and reckless or careless behavior.

Whenever a fishing expedition uses a boat, passengers are subject to numerous dangers including collisions with fixed objects or other vessels, flooding, sinking and drowning. Commercial fishermen are placed in constant danger of serious personal injury or death due to the physical demands and tough conditions placed on them. Our Citrus County Maritime Law Attorneys help fishermen recover monetary damages for injuries sustained on all types of fishing vessels, including:

• Scallop Boats
• Clam Boats
• Grouper Boats
• Shrimp Boats
• Trollers
• Longliners
• Draggers
• Seiners
• Gillnetters

If you are harmed on a fishing boat, the boat owner or operator may be held liable for your injuries. The Citrus County Maritime Law Attorneys at Whittel & Melton may be able to help you collect compensation by filing a maritime injury claim on your behalf. We handle a broad range of recreational and commercial boating and fishing accident claims, including injuries and deaths resulting from:

• Slip and falls due to slippery surfaces
• Trip and falls due to clutter
• Improper operation of machinery
• Defective equipment
• Unsafe or rough conditions

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury or wrongful death on a fishing boat in Citrus County, contact the Citrus County Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Meltononline or call 352-726-0078.