Scoping Bay Scallop Restoration in Rhode Island: A Synthesis of Knowledge and Recommendations for Future Efforts

Abstract

The bay scallop is a culturally important species that once supported significant fisheries along the U.S. east coast. Mass population declines in the 1900s led to a nearly total loss of the fishery in most states, including Rhode Island. In certain areas, intensive, long-term restoration efforts have effectively restored scallop populations and fisheries on a small scale, but indicate that such plans must be scoped specific to systems. In an effort to support the development of an upcoming Rhode Island Shellfish Restoration Plan, relevant knowledge on bay scallops was collated and summarized, and this information was used to create a habitat suitability index that can act as a guide to identify suitable restoration sites for renewed bay scallop restoration efforts in one of the largest coastal salt ponds in Rhode Island, Point Judith Pond. Point Judith Pond was once the epicenter of the bay scallop fishery in the state of Rhode Island, and the ranked index suggests multiple sites throughout the pond are likely to once again provide adequate habitat for bay scallops. Restoration strategies such as caged spawner sanctuaries and the release of competent larvae in areas identified as suitable by the index are recommended for future restoration planning of this species.