Scallop season is around the corner and numbers are down.
Florida Fish and Wildlife scientists report the scallop population of the coast of Citrus is hurting right now. From 2013 to 2014 numbers are down 50 percent so they're calling the population vulnerable.
Carrie Lawson, general manager at the Homosassa Riverside Resort, said she’s not worried.
"Numbers might be down a little bit but people come for the experience and going out for the underwater Easter egg hunt. If they don't limit out they are still happy,” she said.
People come from near and far to enjoy it and they pump a lot of money into the local economy.
"We take reservations starting December 1st. Our phone lines go crazy at 12:01,” she said.
FWC scientists also don't seem that worried. They say the scallop population should bounce back. They say it's a cycle and the numbers go up and down. If the numbers go down and stay down that's when they worry.
"Definitely concerned about that vulnerability designation," said Michael Czerwinski, is a local environmental consultant.
He said the low numbers should be a warning and local and state leaders need to talk about ways to help the scallop population like seeding or a shorter season.
"We need to be proactive here if we want to not only preserve the natural resource and make it sustainable but also continue to enjoy the successes that the tourists bring during the scallop season,” he said.
FWC scientists say the decline in population has to do with things like fresh water flowing into the Gulf and an increase in predators. They say the scallop numbers off Hernando County look good.