All About Weathervane Sea Scallops - The Jumbo Scallop

Scallops are known for their sweet, fresh tasting meat. They are popular, but they haven't really achieved the heights of fame such as salmon or even crab. Scallops are often underrated; although considered a delicacy, some would say they are an acquired taste.  Many people don't really know much about scallops and even the name confuses them.

There are many different types of scallops; however, all scallops are mollusks and all scallops are bivalves. This means they have two part shells and both valves are usually symmetrical along the hinge. Clams, oysters and mussels are also bivalves. All bivalves are aquatic. Scallops can be found in all oceans of the world. They are often highly prized as a food. All scallops have a large adductor muscle which is more developed than that of oysters because scallops swim. They are the only migratory bivalve actually. Scallops are often caught by hand and thus named diver scallops. This method of fishing, as opposed to dredging is not only more environmentally sound, it also enhances the flavor of the scallop, because they don't become enmeshed in sand.

WATER AND CHOCOLATE STARFISH

Weathervane scallops also known as Pacific weathervane scallops or Patinopecten caurinus, is found in the eastern North Pacific Ocean.  They are commercially fished by a small fleet of trawlers which fish from the Yakutat to the eastern Aleutians of Alaska. Weathervane scallops are larger than other species of scallops. They grow to be about eight inches in diameter or more. As with other scallops, these have the ability to swim by ejecting water from their shells which allows them to travel 20 feet or more. However, they cannot swim for more than 15-20 seconds at a time. These scallops can be found in large beds on rock and sand at depths form 120 to 600 feet.

Weathervane scallops eat phytoplankton, detritus and zooplankton mainly. Their main predators include star fish, crabs, polychaete worms and boring sponges. Weathervane scallops have developed many jewel-like eyes which can detect changes in light intensity in moving objects. They also have small tentacles which are sensitive to odor and changes in water temperature. These adaptations help keep them out of danger from predators.

All About Weathervane Sea Scallops - The Jumbo Scallop

WATER AND CHOCOLATE STARFISH