Scallops: Wild

Giant scallop

Hotate

Farmed scallops are a more sustainable option than wild-caught scallops, however the vast majority of scallops on the market are wild caught and rank as either “Some Concerns” or “Avoid” depending on region. Because of how they feed, in some situations scallops may improve water quality, and since they do not rely on fishmeal or fish oil-based feeds, scallop farms have a low impact on marine resources. In addition, scallop farms rarely use fertilizers, antibiotics and other chemicals that could spread into surrounding waters. Of the two ways to farm scallops, off-bottom culture is preferred. Some scallop farming does have habitat impacts as well as impacts to marine resources because of dredging and the collection of wild larvae (spat). 

Dredging is the harvest method for wild scallops, which has severe habitat impacts and bycatch concerns.

Sea scallops exhibit a high intrinsic population growth rate, high individual growth rate, low age at first maturity, and high egg production. Scallops reach harvestable size between the ages 4-7 (based on shell size) and live as long as 29 years.

Offshore sea scallops stocks in Canada seem currently healthy. The stocks tend to go in cycles. Stock status is more variable in inshore waters, where the inshore fleet has recently moved to new areas because of low abundance in historically fished areas. Knowledge of the overall population abundances of Canadian wild scallop stocks remains fragmentary.

Bycatch data from observers or scientific surveys are difficult to obtain and is not recorded in most cases. Monkfish, a species on the SeaChoice “Avoid” list has accounted for approximately 85% of the groundfish bycatch landed by offshore scallop vessels. Lobster bycatch is considered minimal, however recent exploitation of new grounds that are primarily fished for lobster, has resulted in bycatch of soft shelled adults. There are over 100 other species have been recorded as bycatch in the inshore scallop fishery and impacts on these species has not been researched.

Scallop dredging has severe impacts on benthic populations, communities, and habitats. The offshore scallop fishery industry conducts sea-bed mappings, which has allowed fishers and scientists to determine the exact location of scallops, enabling the industry to fish more efficiently and decrease disturbance to the ocean floor. Conversely, this has also allowed the exploitation of brood stocks and dredging of areas previously protected because of rough ground. Impacts of dumping of scallop shells has also not been investigated.

Canadian management has been faulted for ignoring scientific advice on managing the Bay of Fundy scallop fishery, but overall, has implemented strong management practices. Catches are monitored through an industry-funded dockside monitoring program, and vessels are required to carry “black boxes”, or vessel monitoring systems. The industry also participates in and funds the research vessel surveys, collects data through a port sampling program and conducts sea-bed mapping to determine the exact locations of scallops. Management has not comprehensively addressed or monitored bycatch or impacts of dredging on the seafloor.

Are these scallops wild or farmed?

Where were they caught?

How were they farmed?

Farmed suspended culture scallops are is the most sustainable choice.

Contaminant levels do not warrant a consumption advisory.

Yes. A portion of the Eastern Canada offshore scallop fishery was certified by the MSC in March 2010.

Scallops harvested from Scallop Fishing Areas (SFA) 10, 11, 12, 25, 26, & 27 are MSC certified.