From Tiny Eggs to Ocean Floor:

Curious about how Bay Scallops make their way into the stunning waters of the Gulf of Mexico? As summer ends and the water cools, bay scallops in Florida begin their transformation. The drop in temperature signals it’s time to spawn, and a single scallop releases millions of eggs into the water. Despite this abundance, only one in 12 million eggs will survive to adulthood. Within 36 hours, these eggs hatch into tiny larvae called veligers, which drift in the water for 10 to 14 days. During this drifting phase, they grow into juvenile scallops known as spat.

Seagrass Beds to Scalloping Season Harvest:

The spat eventually find their way to seagrass beds, where they attach to the blades using delicate threads. This settlement is a perilous stage, with around 90 percent of spat failing to survive the first six weeks. Those that do successfully anchor themselves will fall to the ocean floor, where they will spend the rest of their lives, ready to continue the cycle of life as the seasons change. Once they reach their adult stage, they can be collected and harvested during scalloping season, providing a rewarding catch for enthusiasts.