Chapter 15 Fisheries sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the fisheries sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus—one of the most important pectinid species in the world. The sea scallop is the most important commercial bivalve in North America. Sea scallop recruitment, even in the center of its range is irregular and poses undue problems to an industry that is typically overcapitalized. Sea scallop growth rates are highly variable, depending on location. Growth rates calculated for various aggregations are reported usually in the form of the von Bertalanffy growth equation. Growth rates are negatively correlated to a combination of temperature and food availability with low temperature and low food levels producing the slowest growing scallops. Knowledge of the age structure of populations, growth rate, and longevity are essential for effective management of the fishery. The production depends on recruitment patterns and the nature of management regime selected particularly for the offshore fishing areas. The application of 3-D bottom imaging is changing fishing strategies into harvesting practices. Using the latest technology in multi-beam sonar, maps detailing seabed habitat, topography, and geology are produced for the main offshore scallop fishing areas.