Eastern Shore Virginia – The Chesapeake Bay has seen an increase in the number of bay scallops this year, a positive sign for the region’s marine ecosystem. Bay scallops, once a thriving part of the Bay’s economy and ecology, have faced significant population declines over the past century due to water quality issues, habitat loss, and overharvesting. Recent restoration efforts, including seagrass restoration and improved water conditions, have contributed to this year’s population growth.
The Eastern Shore of Virginia (ESVA) bay scallop population was entirely wiped out in the 1930s when a slime mold killed the region’s eelgrass beds. The loss of this crucial habitat was compounded by the Chesapeake-Potomac Hurricane of 1933, which created the inlet at Ocean City, Maryland, and further degraded the area. Eelgrass, essential for the survival of bay scallops, was thought to be completely gone from the region for decades.
In 1997, a small patch of eelgrass was discovered in South Bay near Wreck Island. This discovery inspired Robert Orth, the underwater grass director at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), to initiate a seagrass restoration project in 2001. The project has been instrumental in reviving the underwater habitat necessary for the return of bay scallops.
The annual survey conducted by VIMS showed a density of almost 0.07 bay scallops per square meter in the southern coastal bays. This is close to the 0.10 scallops per square meter threshold required for a recreational fishery, similar to the standards set in Florida.
Scientists are hopeful that this trend will continue, as healthy bay scallop populations support biodiversity and contribute to the overall health of the Bay. Restoration projects like seagrass planting have helped provide the necessary habitat for scallops, which depend on seagrass meadows for protection and breeding grounds. The increase is also a promising indicator of improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay region.
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