As I am doubtlessly the root cause of John Timmerman’s query, let me provide some context. In the late 1980’s the Florida Panhandle was the site of a great deal of Calico Scallop harvesting. The boat crews welcomed free labor to help with unloading, culling bycatch from the deck and conveyor belts, and hosing off the decks (creating treasure troves of shells in the water but certainly not “in situ”). If I was on the boat when the scallop net hit the deck and picked up a shell it would probably be considered “self-collected”. If I board the boat as it docks and pick up the same shell is it still self-collected? If not, exactly where is the dividing line in the boats voyage where it changes from one to the other?

A related question: When does a “trash heap” become a midden? Is there a time frame?

Jim Brunner, Panama City   
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