Amy Bennett Williams | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
Uh-oh. You’re strolling the beach, looking down and there it is: a gorgeous shell. You stoop low, pluck it up, then see that horse conch (or lightning whelk or giant cockle – whatever) has a living critter still inside,
It may be tempting to pop it in your bag, before going the ol’ boil-and-bleach route, but is it worth jail time?
Collecting a still-occupied shell can carry environmental consequences and, in Lee County, legal penalties. Many visitors remain unaware that removing most live shells is prohibited and can result in fines or jail time.
Instead of pocketing the mollusk, the best case scenario is snapping a quick photo (a shell-fie?) then gently replacing the shell below the waterline, so it can live to delight another day.
Bonus: If you’re in Lee County, you’ve also dodged a potential $500 fine and 60-day jail term for breaking the county’s live shell rules.
In Southwest Florida, shells are foundational – sometimes literally – read the full article on naplesnews.com to find out more.
Babcock Ranch, Southwest Florida
Click photo to explore.