Cultivating Queen Scallops

The Queen Scallop, a medium sized species of scallop with a colourful shell, is abundant in the Ria de Vigo area but little had been done to add value to this mollusc, simply sold generally fresh at low prices.  Ensuring a better market price for the species, as well as avoiding interruptions to its supply due to periodic pollution, led the San José de Cangas Fishing Association to consider the possibility of growing scallops in lantern nets. This had never been done in the area and support from the University of Vigo and the Spanish Institute for Oceanography was called upon to investigate the conditions and methods that might make an aquaculture activity possible.

In close collaboration with the fishermen, scientists and researchers studied the best season and place for collecting the spat, how to best extract it from the containers and methods of on-growing that would maximise the scallop growth and survival rates. Tests were conducted, for example, to decide the acceptable density of individual Queen Scallops in the crop baskets, the right timing to transfer them to the lantern nets and the optimal methods for detaching and cleaning the mature scallops. These test activities were successful in developing a new production activity for Queen Scallops which was less susceptible to seabed pollution.

This was then followed by a professional market study to best sell this new production. It included the development and laboratory testing of different types of Queen Scallop products, such as canned, frozen, and vacuum packed scallops as well as in modified atmosphere packaging. At the same time, gastronomic events were attended to promote them.

A second phase was subsequently needed for further testing and fine tuning. This cost approximately €45 000, of which €38 500 were financed by the FLAG.