Is it OK to take shells from Florida beaches?

The recreational collection of sea shells is allowed depending on whether or not the harvested sea shell contains a living organism, the type of organism it contains and where you will be collecting. Sea shells containing live organisms cannot be sold unless the seller has a valid commercial saltwater products license.



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Prohibited Sea Life The Bahama Starfish and Queen Conch are always prohibited, unless the Queen conch shell is already empty. It's unlikely you would find this shell just sitting on the beach!

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The recreational collection of sea shells is allowed depending on whether or not the harvested sea shell contains a living organism, the type of organism it contains and where you will be collecting. Sea shells containing live organisms cannot be sold unless the seller has a valid commercial saltwater products license.

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If you have a fishing license, you will still want to verify local regulations, as some counties have other limits and restrictions. With that in mind, collecting a living sand dollar from Florida beaches is illegal.

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Shell-lovers from all over the world make pilgrimages to tiny Sanibel Island's Gulf Coast, considered the best shelling spot in North America according to Travel & Leisure Magazine.

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The other exception to the prohibition regarding collection and removal of items is if the items are empty seashells, sea glass or shark teeth found between the water line and toe of the sand dunes in coastal parks with beaches.

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You shouldn't have any problem as long as they are clean and don't smell. If you collected these yourself from a beach within the EU they aren't likely to be from endangered species, which would be the only probable reason for any restriction.

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