Can I Keep?Sea Shells (live organisms) Regulations in Florida (2026)
Recreational sea shells (live organisms) rules in Florida saltwater, as published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Last checked November 7, 2026.
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Recreational Sea Shells (live organisms) rules in Florida
- Where
- Statewide
- Bag limit
- Bag Limits: Seasons, bag limits, and other regulations must be followed for species that are regulated by the FWC, such as bay scallops even when these species are not collected for food. The bag limit for marine life (tropical ornamental) species is 20 organisms per person per day. Only five of any one marine life species is allowed within the 20-organism marine life bag limit. For unregulated species, more than 100 pounds or 2 fish per person per day (whichever is greater) is considered commercial quantities and requires a saltwater products license.
- License Requirement: A Florida recreational saltwater fishing license is required in order to harvest a sea shell containing a living organism, even when harvesting from shore. See shoreline fishing FAQs for more information.
- In Lee County, you may not harvest or possess any shells that contain a live organism except for oysters, hard clams (quahogs), sunray venus clams and coquinas.
- In Manatee County, you may not harvest or possess more than two shells (includes echinoderms such as sand dollars and starfish) containing live organisms of any single species except for oysters, hard clams, sunray venus clams and coquinas per day.
- Also, the harvest of certain species may be limited or prohibited in state or federal parks, national wildlife refuges and portions of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Interested persons should contact those park areas for further information.
- Prohibited Species: All harvest of the Bahama Starfish ( Oreaster reticulatis) is prohibited. Possession of live Queen Conch ( Strombus gigas) at any time is prohibited. It is not unlawful to possess queen conch shells in Florida as long as the shells do not contain any living queen conch at the time of collection, and so long as a living queen conch is not killed, mutilated, or removed from its shell prior to collection. Possession of conch meat or a queen conch shell having an off-center hole larger than 1/16 inch in diameter through its spire is prohibited.
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Statewide
- Bag limit
- Trip/bag limit: Manatee County: 2 live shellfsh of any single species per day.; Lee County: Harvest prohibited year-round.; All other counties: None.; Manatee and Lee county prohibitions on harvest do not apply to shells that are empty when collected or to live oysters, hard clams, and sunray venus clams.
- SPL
- ML# required for the harvest of some species. See: “Marine Life” Regulations.
- The term “Live Shellfish” includes mollusks and echinoderms, such as clams, snails, starfish, brittle stars, urchins, etc.
- For full rule, visit 68B-26
Quick answers
How many sea shells (live organisms) can I keep in Florida?
Bag Limits: Seasons, bag limits, and other regulations must be followed for species that are regulated by the FWC, such as bay scallops even when these species are not collected for food. The bag limit for marine life (tropical ornamental) species is 20 organisms per person per day. Only five of any one marine life species is allowed within the 20-organism marine life bag limit. For unregulated species, more than 100 pounds or 2 fish per person per day (whichever is greater) is considered commercial quantities and requires a saltwater products license..
More clams, oysters & scallops in Florida
All Florida saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Most anglers need a Florida saltwater license or registry: get one here.