Chapter 16 Sea scallop aquaculture in the northwest atlantic

Abstract

This chapter discusses the sea scallop aquaculture in the Northwest Atlantic. Scallop culture in the Northwest Atlantic primarily involves the sea or giant scallop Placopecten magellanicus whose culture is presently the basis of a slowly expanding and evolving industry. The attractive characteristics for the sea scallop includes good spat supply, fast growth, large meat size, high fecundity, reliance on natural sources for food supply, high market value, available markets, and consumer acceptance. Innovative culture-based methods, which are now being implemented suggests increasing the production of existing scallop beds. Scallop culturing technology and methodology are derived from the Japanese experience, which first started on a large scale in the 1950's. The basic procedure involves: (1) spat or seed procurement; (2) intermediate culture; (3) final grow-out; and (4) harvesting and marketing. There are also two large-scale research programs established to examine the many aspects of sea scallop culture. The first is a multi-university program called Ocean Productivity and Enhancement Network (OPEN), and the second is a provincial/federal government program in Québec called (REcherche sur le Pétoncle à des fins d’Elevage et de REpeuplement) REPERE. The economic feasibility of sea scallop culture is marginal at best.