A new video by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration touts the benefits of farming the scallop, which has to potential to serve as a specialty market within the seafood industry.
Scallops are big business in the U.S. The species makes up the fourth most valuable fishery in the country, bringing in $572 million domestically in 2019.
Mussel farm sees potential in scallops
Tony Gott strings scallops on a line with Acadia Aqua Farms’ new ear-hanging machine. The farm in Frenchman Bay is one of the few farms in the U.S. that is testing the Japanese method of growing scallops.
ISLANDER PHOTO BY ETHAN GENTER
BAR HARBOR In mid-May, Alex de Koning climbed down into the hold of the Stewardship, the former military landing craft that he and his family have used for years to help grow mussels in Frenchman Bay, and sat at what looked like a giant sewing machine.
He grabbed a pair of scallops that had just been pulled out of the farm’s nets, lined up the small notches near the bivalves’ hinge and stepped on a foot pedal.
Divisive opinions around Maine s growing aquaculture industry, particularly a proposed salmon farming operation in Frenchman Bay, are driving lawmakers to consider studying coastal development in general.
The Legislature’s Marine Resource Committee held a public hearing Tuesday on LD 1211, “Resolve, To Create the Study Group To Research Balancing Development and Conservation in Maine s Coastal Waters and Submerged Lands,” introduced by state Rep. Lynne Williams, D-District 135.
A goal of the bill is to establish regional units functioning in individual bay areas, composed of municipal representatives and consultants, that would be able to provide input into how each bay is used.
The resolve would establish the group “to address current system deficiencies in the regulation of the state s coastal waters and submerged lands.”
By Staff
A new cookbook released Thursday aims to draw consumer interest to Maine’s growing industry for farmed scallops.
“Recipe Ideas for Farmed Sea Scallops” was co-authored by fisherman Marsden Brewer and natural history writer Marnie Reed Crowell, both Stonington residents.
Coastal Enterprises Inc. announced the release of the publication as part of a three-year initiative, funded by the Washington, D.C., nonprofit Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, to further develop scallop farming efforts in Maine, according to a news release.
The publication was funded with support from CEI, Maine Technology Institute, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, Maine Sea Grant Program Development Funds and Maine Community Foundation.