Scallop fisheries, mariculture and enhancement in Australia

Abstract

This chapter describes the biology, fisheries, management, and mariculture potential of Pecten fumatus and Amusium balloti, and the social environment in which the fisheries exist. At least 50 species of scallop are described from Australian coastal waters, however, appreciable fisheries directed towards only these two species. These are a trawl fishery for saucer scallops, A. balloti, in tropical and sub-tropical waters off Queensland and Western Australia, and a dredge fishery for commercial scallops, P. fumatus, in temperate waters off Victoria, Tasmania and, rarely, off New South Wales. The Commonwealth of Australian is responsible for fishing operations in the area between the two jurisdictions. These arrangements can be linked to the fishery's history. The fisheries originated in coastal waters of Tasmania and Victoria, and moved to the oceanic waters of Bass Strait, the fisheries of which have historically been managed by a Commonwealth agency. The fishery operates on the basis of marketing a roe-on product, both to local and European markets, and is administered to maximize yield and value by allowing only winter–spring fishing, when gonads are at peak condition. By global standards, aquaculture, and enhancement operations in Australia have received little commitment and met with little success to this time.