Did you know sea shells are living animals that play a big role in keep sea water clean with their own filtering system?
According to the Marine Fisheries Commission rule, no more than two of any species of live, non-edible, shellfish can be taken from Manatee County waters. The following regulations apply to live shells. To tell if a shellfish is alive, look for a creature inside of the shell. Live sand dollars are grayish green in color.
The regulation includes:
- Banded Tulip
- Crown Conch
- Fighting Conch
- Florida Horse Conch
- Lettered Olive
- Lighting Whelks
- Sand Dollars
- Sea Urchines
- Starfish
- True Tulip
The regulation does NOT include:
- Bay Scallops
- Coquinas
- Hard Clams
- Oysters
- Sunray Venus Clams
What type of shells can be found on Anna Maria Island? View the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum website for more information.
