Shelling on Anna Maria IslandDid 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.