Bay Scallop (Argopecten irradians) Survey
FWRI biologist Anthony Vasilas, attempts to catch a bay scallop in
a seagrass bed offshore of Taylor County (open to recreational
harvest). Scallops may evade predators by rapidly clamping their
shells together to swim away. Seagrass beds in the vicinity of the
Steinhatchee River are typically good harvest areas.
Populations of bay scallops are surveyed annually by FWRI
scientists around the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers search along a
300 m transect line using SCUBA and count all scallops within 1 m
on both sides of the transect. Populations within open and closed
recreational harvest areas are surveyed each year.
Image Credit: FWC
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