More information

Variegated scallop

Quality mark Cultivation
/Keurmerk Wild
Green
Second choice
Avoid
Welzijn
Informatie over vissoort
Lees meer
General

Shellfish

Shellfish is a culinary term that is often used for several species of molluscs, gastropods, bivalves and arthropods. Some examples are the St. James shell, mussels, razor clams, oysters, cockles and whelks. Most shellfish live partly or fully buried into the seabed, mostly in sandy or gravelly bottoms. They feed by filtering nutrients out of the water. Seed and eggs are released into the water and fertilized externally. Most shellfish are hermaphroditic, they can be both male and female. There are many different shellfish species in the North Sea that are very much suitable for consumption. Fishing methods on shellfish include hand-picking, dredging or mechanic dredges (suckers).

 

Variegated scallop

The variegated scallop, often sold as ‘Pétoncle noir’, is closely related to the larger and well-known great scallop. As the name suggests, the variegated scallop can vary in colour and pattern. It can reach a size of 70 mm and can be found in the North Sea, the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean.

Variegated scallop

Mimachlamys varia
Origin

Atlantic Ocean, north-east (FAO 27)

Farming- / Catch method

Mechanic dredges, Dredges

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Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

There is not much information on the stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
of the variegated scallop. There is also lack of data on the fishery on this species. This species is not vulnerable to fishing pressureFishing pressure:
Fishing pressure is a result of the fishing effort/amount of fishing on a stock, which determines the fishing mortality. Fishing mortality is the share of the fish stock that dies annually as a result of fishing.
.

Fishing with dredgesBoat dredges:
A fishing method used for collecting shellfish and crustaceans from the bottom. The ship drags a steel frame with a net over the bottom, in which shellfish and crustaceans are caught. Large ships can drag multiple dredges simultaneously, on each side of the ship.  
has a big impact on benthic life. There are indications that dredging can damage the benthic ecosystem from which it cannot recover. This method also has a lot of bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). 
of vulnerable species, such as catshark, seahorses and invertebrates. Around 40% of the catch is thrown back into the sea.

There is a management plan for dredge fishery on scallops. This is reasonably effective.

Fish in season 

Fish is in season when the spawning period has ended, as the quality is then at its best.

 

ASC label

Fish with the ASC label is farmed in a sustainable manner.

MSC label

Fish with the MSC label is caught sustainably.

Good fish

This fish is not being overfished or is being responsibly farmed, with minimal impact on the environment.

Second choice

This fish is a second choice. There are still some improvements to be made in this fishery or fish farm.

Avoid

Do not buy this fish. It's being overfished or the way it's farmed or caught has a negative impact on the environment.

Welfare

There is fish available of this species that is farmed or caught using high welfare standards.

GlobalG.A.P.

GlobalG.A.P. certified farms are doing a step in the right direction in terms of sustainability. A few species with this label are getting a better score on the VISwijzer.

Organic

Organic standards are the strictest when it comes to fish feed. They also require certain measures for animal well-being.