Scallopalooza to benefit Sarasota Bay’s scallop populations

What's tiny and unseen by those who aren’t looking for them? They’re scallops and they’re an essential part of the Bay’s ecosystem. Support the Sarasota Bay Watch’s scallop restoration efforts with the fifth annual Scallopalooza on Oct. 3 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

“Scallops are important for us environmentally because primarily, scallops clear the water,” Sarasota Bay Watch Program Director Ronda Ryan said. “They’re filter feeders. Everybody likes clear water. They also add a level to the food pyramid and increase the diversity of fish in water. When you’re getting clear water and more fish, our Bay waters become a big tourist draw. It improves economics.”

In the 1970s, scallop populations diminished with the increase of construction and development, when the scallops' sea grass homes were affected by the runoff in the Bay. Now, the sea grass is once again healthy, but the scallops aren’t coming back without help.

To restore the scallop populations, Sarasota Bay Watch established a 10-year plan. Now in its fifth year, the organization has released millions of scallop larvae into the Bay. Recently, volunteers released juvenile scallops into the Bay and have instituted scallop sanctuaries for adults.

“What we’re trying to do is optimize the avenues of getting scallops in the water,” Ryan said. “Our findings are improving, and scallops are getting bigger and bigger. We’re very hopeful for scallop populations in a few years.”

Without community support, the restoration program would be unable to continue. Scallopalooza is the Bay Watch’s biggest fundraiser.

Tickets are $85 and will include a cocktail hour and sit-down dinner. There will be a cash bar and both a live and silent auction. Sarasota Bay Watch representatives will also hold a presentation on the organization and its programs.

Tickets are limited to 180 people and the event sells out every year.

“All of those funds raised go directly into scallop restoration,” Ryan said. “It doesn’t fund any other program. We are totally community-funded, and we depend on the community to help us. They’re really embracing us, and it shows we have a community that’s interested in the environment and economic benefit of having scallops in our water. This event is a huge success and a lot of fun.”

If you go:

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3

Where: Sarasota Yacht Club, 110 John Ringling Blvd.

Cost is $85; $680 for a table of eight

Buy tickets at sarasotabaywatch.org.