How to Shell Conscientiously on Sanibel

Shell collecting is, as we all know, a significant reason that people come to Sanibel.   As one of the three top shell collecting destinations in the world, it is inevitable that those interested in collecting shells,  know of and want to travel to, our little island.

And there is such a bounty of shells that no one is disappointed with the treasures they find.

Many visitors, however, collect more shells than they can possibly use and admire in their own houses, and shells are often just tossed out rather than left in their environment.

Most know not to collect live shells and to leave them behind in the shallow waters where they are found. Indeed, the State of Florida has outlawed the collecting of live shells on the island. "Live shell" is defined as any specimen containing an inhabitant, whether or not the mollusk seems alive. The law also protects sand dollars, starfish and sea urchins. All shelling is prohibited in J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

Beyond that, there should be some general guidelines that visitors keep in the forefront of their collecting activities.  These are the rules that serious shell collectors have compiled, and they can serve as a set of principles for even the casual "sheller":


1. Collect for the sake of knowledge, facilitating science-oriented knowledge, sharing knowledge and sharing what is collected.

2. Collect for representation of a species and not simply for the biggest, best, most.

3.Never collect species from areas where they are scarce.

4 Never collect shells to trade or give away unless for a source you know will use them in accordance with principle 1.

5.  Don’t collect or buy a shell  to simply complete checklists and/or it will only end up stored until someday trashed or disposed of by unknowledgeable relatives.

6 If you do collect, be sure the collection is documented, inventoried and provision has been made for it to pass on to another responsible collector or a museum.

7. Don’t collect for the purpose of joining a social club or to win ribbons and trophies at shell shows. If this is your main interest, choose a collecting hobby that doesn't destroy habitat and kill wildlife.

8. Do not buy shells from anyone except dealers who deal in specimen shells and preferable are collectors themselves.


Make your holiday special by being conscientious in your shell collecting and assuring that your children and friends are familiar with these suggestions!