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Scallops, Bay
(Diver-caught in Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico)
Rating:
There are concerns about the population size and fishing quotas for Mexican bay scallops. However, these scallops are hand-collected by divers, a method that causes very little bycatch or habitat damage. For these reasons, diver-caught scallops from Magdalena Bay, Mexico, are a "Good Alternative."
Market Names:
Catarina Scallop
Consumer Notes:
Two kinds of scallops are sold: the marshmallow-sized sea scallop (sometimes called giant scallop) and the much smaller bay scallop.
Scallops use a strong, circular muscle to clap their shells together, letting them "fly" through the water and out of harm's way. It's this circular (abductor) muscle that's prized as seafood.
Summary:
Bay scallops grow quickly and mature at a young age, traits that make them resilient to fishing pressure.
Mexican bay scallops, also known as catarina scallops, are found along the Pacific coast from Mexico to Peru. In Magdalena Bay, Baja California, Mexico, divers collect these scallops by hand - a method that results in little bycatch or seafloor habitat damage.
Although fishery managers assess these scallop populations regularly, concerns remain. Information about population size and assessment methods is not available.
When considered together, these factors result in a ranking of "Good Alternative" for diver-caught bay scallops from Magdalena Bay, Mexico.
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