Study

Aspiring to an altered stable state: rebuilding of bay scallop populations and fisheries following intensive restoration

  • Published source details Tettelbach S., Peterson B., Carroll J., Furman B., Hughes S., Havelin J., Europe J., Bonal D., Weinstock A. & Smith C. (2015) Aspiring to an altered stable state: rebuilding of bay scallop populations and fisheries following intensive restoration. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 529, 121-136.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Transplant/release captive-bred or hatchery-reared species - Transplant/release molluscs

Action Link
Subtidal Benthic Invertebrate Conservation
  1. Transplant/release captive-bred or hatchery-reared species - Transplant/release molluscs

    A replicated, before-and-after study in 2005–2012 in seven areas of seabed in Peconic Bays, North Atlantic Ocean, New York, USA (Tettelbach et al. 2015 - same expeimental set-up as Tettelbach et al. 2013) found that over five to six years after initiating transplantation of hatchery-reared bay scallop Argopecten irradians irradians, abundance of juvenile bay scallops typically increased, but not that of adult bay scallops. In five of seven areas (including one area where no scallops had been transplanted, suggesting larval transport from restored sites to unrestored sites), juvenile (<1-year-old) scallop abundance was higher after restoration (2011–2012: 0.07–2.8 scallops/m2), compared to before (2005: 0.002–0.08 scallops/m2). adult (>1-year-old) scallop abundance was statistically similar before (2005: 0.01–0.06 scallops/m2) and after transplantation (2011–2012: 0.004–0.2 scallops/m2 scallops/m2). A restoration programme aimed to increase scallop reproductive success was initiated in 2006 by transplanting several millions of hatchery-reared bay scallops in nets or directly on the seabed (100–200 scallops/m2; see paper for details). Juvenile and adult scallops were monitored annually in autumn at 23 sites across seven embayments (five with transplanted scallops, two nearby without to assess larval transport) for 8 years: 2005–2006 (before intensive restoration) and 2007–2012 (after commencement of intensive restoration). Divers counted all scallops within 2–4 transects (50 m2)/site.

    (Summarised by: Anaëlle Lemasson)

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