All About Weathervane Sea Scallops - The Jumbo Scallop

[Sheldon Powell]

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.
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.

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