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Scallops, Sea
(Diver-caught in Laguna Ojo de Liebre and Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico)
Rating:
Diver-caught sea scallops are collected by hand, causing very little bycatch or habitat damage. For this reason diver-caught sea scallops from Laguna Ojo de Liebre and Guerrero Negro, Mexico, are a "Best Choice."
Market Names:
Lion-Paw 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:
Sea scallops grow quickly and mature at a young age, traits that make them resilient to fishing pressure.
Mexican sea scallops, also known as lion-paw scallops, are found along the Pacific coast from Mexico to Peru. In the lagoons of Laguna Ojo de Liebre and Guerrero Negro in Baja California, Mexico, divers collect them by hand - a method that results in little bycatch or seafloor habitat damage.
Fishery managers regularly assess these scallop populations and set scientifically based quotas. Overall, fishery management is considered highly effective.
For all of these reasons, diver-caught Mexican sea scallops from Laguna Ojo de Liebre and Guerrero Negro, Mexico, are a "Best Choice."
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