A seeding experiment of juvenile great scallops (Pecten maximus (L.)) off the Island of Jersey.

Abstract

In 1995, landings of Great scallops, Pecten maximus(L.) increased dramatically in Jersey from around one tonne in the previousyear, to 66 tonnes and this continues to rise. This was caused by theintroduction of scallop diving permits and diversification of the fishingfleet.Due to this increase in effort it was decided that the feasibility of ranchingone-year-old juvenile scallops should be investigated. 100,000 scallops werepurchased from Ireland and seeded in specifically selected coastal sites. Thescallops grew from 22.8 mm shell length and 1.17 grams to 57.6mm and 23.2 grams in the first six months after seeding, and to93.3 mm and 88.9 grams during the subsequent 12 months. Growthrateslowed considerably during winter months. Given these growth rates the scallopswill reach market size in three years from settlement, less than the 4, 5 and 6years taken in Guernsey, the Eastern Channel and the offshore Irish Searespectively. Although growth rates are not unique and are comparable withotherinshore sites in the UK, they are significant for scallop farming in Jerseywaters. Mortality following re-seeding and predation rates by crab and starfishappears to be lower than reported by other workers. However this has not yetbeenquantified.