Sarasota Bay Watch releases 6.7 million scallops

Sarasota Bay Watch released 6.7 million juvenile scallop larvae into Sarasota Bay last week in its first scallop release of 2013.

The group plans to release approximately 50 million larvae this year as part of a multiyear restorative project — more than double the 24 million larvae it released last year.

The releases are funded by Scallopalooza, which raised more than $25,000 this year, and private donations.

Sarasota Bay Watch President Larry Stults, events coordinator Ronda Ryan, board members Al Jeffrey and Jeff Birnbach, and member Steve Traves participated in the release.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].