I got this answer from the people that issue you your fossil permit
RE: Underwater Digging
HC
. Press the Enter key to open the contact card." style="unicode-bidi: embed; direction: ltr; user-select: text; cursor: pointer;">Hulbert,Richard C,JR <rhulbert@flmnh.ufl.edu>
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Today, 8:53 AM
You
No. Use of any motorized device to excavate either river beds or seafloor is not allowed under the state’s fossil collecting permit system.
Richard C. Hulbert Jr.
Vertebrate Paleontology Collections Manager
Florida Museum of Natural History
Dickinson Hall, University of Florida
1659 Museum Road
Gainesville, Florida 32611-7800 USA
From: Scott Matthews
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2018 10:50 PM
To: Hulbert,Richard C,JR
Subject: Underwater Digging
Dr. Hulbert,
This question has come up several times and wondered if you might have an answer.
Is the use of scooters to blow holes in the sea floor looking for fossils legal?
This is in state waters off Sarasota and Charlotte counties.
I have seen the destruction that some have caused in the past.
Thank you
Scott Matthews