Facts About Bay Scallops
– Scientific name: Argopecten irradians
– Size: About 2 inches
– Distribution: Throughout Florida’s west coast and as far north as West Palm Beach on the east coast
– Habitat: Sea grass beds and shallow waters of estuaries
– Although clams may live 40 years, the life span of a bay scallop is a fleeting 12-18 months
– An adult bay scallop can pump as much as 14.7 liters of water per hour by funneling water across open pathways on its gill covers
– Because scallops are extremely sensitive to pollution, they serve as useful “underwater canaries” to signal changes in water quality
– Scallops are a favored food of stone crabs, who have no trouble crushing the scallop’s armored shell with their powerful claws
– Bay scallops develop male and female sex organs, producing both sperm and eggs
– Of the 12-million or so eggs a single scallop releases, only one may survive to adulthood
– Tiny blue eyes along the outer rim of the shell detect movement and serve as an early warning system for scallops
Historic Scallop Counts
1996 – 75
1997 – 79
1998 – 27
1999 – 21
2000 – 18
2004 – 12
2005 – 1
2006 – 17.5
2007 – 555
2008 – 624
2009 – 674 (a banner year!)
2010 – 32
2011 – 5
2012 – 12
2013 – 51
2014 – 112
Searches were not held in 2001-2003 to allow water quality to improve. Find out more about Tampa Bay Watch’s Annual Great Bay Scallop Search or register today at tampabaywatch.org.