BAY SCALLOP PROJECT 2008 ANNUAL REPORT 

 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 

100 Eighth Avenue SE 

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5095 

 March 31, 2009 

 William S. Arnold 

Stephen P. Geiger 

Melanie L. Parker 

Sarah P. Stephenson 

Janessa C. Cobb 

Mark Gambordella 

 Anthony Vasilis 

 Michael Drexler 

 

Phone: (727) 896-8626 

Fax: (727) 823-0166 

E-mail: Sarah.Stephenson@MyFWC.com 
2 

BAY SCALLOP PROJECT 2008 ANNUAL REPORT 

Acknowledgements 

A project of this scope and duration requires the assistance of many individuals and groups from 

throughout Florida. Jay Leverone (Sarasota Bay Estuary Program), Jim Culter (Mote Marine Laboratory) 

and Loren Coen, Mark Thompson and A.J. Martignette (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) 

assisted with the continuation of our recruitment monitoring and restoration efforts in Pine Island Sound. 

Elizabeth Staugler (University of Florida - IMAFS) and volunteer Steve Patterson and his 6-year-old son 

Jacob assisted in initiating recruitment monitoring in Charlotte Harbor area. John Ryan and Rene 

Janneman (Sarasota County) assisted in initiating both recruitment monitoring and community based 

restoration efforts throughout Sarasota County. Peter Clark and Chris Sullivan of Tampa Bay Watch 

assisted with scallop collections and scallop restoration efforts in Tampa Bay. Peter Klocksien and 

Tiffany Black (FWC-Cedar Key field lab) assisted with the continuation of our recruitment monitoring 

efforts in the Suwannee basin area, namely Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach. Kim Wren, Jessica Avant 

and Ricky Hathcock (Florida DEP) continued to manage our recruitment-monitoring program in St. 

Joseph Bay and initiated recruitment monitoring in Alligator Harbor. The St. Andrew Resource 

Management Association organization and its members, in particular Chris Metcalf (USFWS), Linda 

Fitzhugh and Melissa Moore (Gulf Coast Community College), and Carrie Fioramonti and Michelle 

Passerotti (NOAA) provided assistance in recruitment monitoring and restoration efforts in St. Andrew 

Bay. Ben Russell of FDEP assisted in initiating recruitment monitoring in Pensacola Bay. 

With the completion and submittal of this report comes the end of an era within the Molluscan 

Fisheries program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Dr. William Arnold, who has 

served as the principal investigator and leader of this department for 24 years, has accepted a Fishery 

Biologist position with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Southeast Regional Office in St. 

Petersburg. He will apply his considerable knowledge and fishery experience to the Limited Access 
3 

Privilege Program. His new job duties will include working on a wide-array of scientific and statistical 

analyses in direct support of management activities. Dr. Arnold takes with him a wealth of knowledge of 

and research experience with Molluscan species within Florida waters, but he also leaves with us the 

knowledge and ability to propose, fund and conduct exciting, sound, cutting edge and scientifically 

respected research. His "footprints" are large and will be difficult to match, but he has shown us the 

richness and fulfillment that true dedication to one's work has to offer, and he has provided us with the 

motivation, guidance and skills to "aim high" and achieve new goals on our own. 
4 

Table of Contents 

Overview of Program 8

I. Adult Abundance 8 

1.0 Introduction 8-9 

1.1 Pine Island Sound 9 

1.2 Sarasota Bay 9 

1.3 Tampa Bay 10 

1.4 Anclote 10 

1.5 Hernando 10 

1.6 Homosassa 10-11 

1.7 Cedar Key 11 

1.8 Steinhatchee 11 

1.9 St. Marks 11 

1.10 St. Joseph Bay 12 

1.11 Crooked Island 12 

1.12 St. Andrew Bay 12 

1.13 Pensacola Bay 12 

1.14 Summary 13 

II. Recruitment 13 

2.0 Introduction 13-14 

2.1 Pine Island Sound 14 

2.2 Charlotte County 14 

2.3 Sarasota County 15 

2.4 Sarasota Bay 15 

2.5 Tampa Bay 15-16 

2.6 Anclote 16 

2.7 Hernando 16 

2.8 Homosassa 16 

2.9 Suwannee area 17 

2.10 Alligator Harbor 17 

2.11 St. Joseph Bay 17-18 

2.12 St. Andrew Bay 18 

2.13 Pensacola Bay 18 

2.14 Summary 18-19 

III. Restoration Activities 19 

3.0 Introduction 19-20 

 3.1 Pine Island Sound 20-21 

 3.2 Sarasota County 21 

 3.3 Sarasota Bay 21 

 3.4 Tampa Bay 21-22 

 3.5 St. Andrew Bay 22-23 

 3.6 Pensacola Bay 23 

 3.7 Summary 23-24 

IV. References 24 
5 

List of Tables 

Table 1. Adult bay scallop density per station at the south Pine Island Sound, Florida 25 

study site during each summer from 2004 to 2008. 

Table 2. Adult bay scallop density per station at the north Pine Island Sound, Florida 26 

study site during each summer from 1994 to 2008. 

Table 3. Adult bay scallop density per station at the Sarasota Bay, Florida study site 27 

during each summer from 2007 to 2008. 

Table 4. Adult bay scallop density per station at the Tampa Bay, Florida study site 28 

during each summer from 2007 to 2008. 

Table 5. Adult bay scallop density per station at the Anclote, Florida study site 29 

during each summer from 1994 to 2008. 

Table 6. Adult bay scallop density per station at the Hernando, Florida study site during 30 

each summer from 1997 to 2008. 

Table 7. Adult bay scallop density per station at the Homosassa, Florida study site 31 

during each summer from 1994 to 2008. 

Table 8. Adult bay scallop density per station at the Cedar Key, Florida study site 32 

during each summer from 1998 to 2007. 

Table 9. Adult bay scallop density per station at the Steinhatchee, Florida study site 33 

during each summer from 1994 to 2008. 

Table 10. Adult bay scallop density per station at the St. Marks, Florida study site 34 

during each summer in 1995 and 2008. 

Table 11. Adult bay scallop density per station at the St. Joe Bay, Florida study site 35 

during each summer from 1994 to 2008. 

Table 12. Adult bay scallop density per station at the Crooked Island Sound, Florida 36 

study site during each summer from 1994 to 2007. 

Table 13. Adult bay scallop density per station at the St. Andrew Bay, Florida study 37 

site during each summer from 1994 to 2008. 

Table 14. Adult bay scallop density per station at the Pensacola Bay, Florida study 38 

site during each summer from 1995 and 2002 to 2005. 
6 

List of Figures 

Figure 1. Map of Florida illustrating bay scallop study sites. 39 

Figure 2. Bay scallop adult abundance plot. 40 

Figure 3. Recruitment and survey station locations for Pine Island Sound, Charlotte 41 

County, Sarasota County and Sarasota Bay study sites. 

Figure 4. Recruitment and survey station locations for Tampa Bay, Anclote, 42 

Hernando, and Homosassa study sites. 

Figure 5. Recruitment and survey station locations for Cedar Key, Steinhatchee, 43 

Keaton Beach, St. Marks, Alligator Harbor, and St. Joseph Bay study sites. 

Figure 6. Recruitment and survey station locations Crooked Island Sound, 44 

St. Andrew Bay, and Pensacola Bay study sites. 

Figure 7. Pine Island Sound recruitment plots for 2008. 45-47 

Figure 8. Sarasota County recruitment plot for 2008. 48 

Figure 9. Sarasota Bay recruitment plot for 2008. 49 

Figure 10. Tampa Bay recruitment plot for 2008. 50 

Figure 11. Anclote recruitment plot for 2008. 51 

Figure 12. Hernando recruitment plot for 2008. 52 

Figure 13. Homosassa recruitment plot for 2008. 53 

Figure 14. Steinhatchee recruitment plot for 2008. 54 

Figure 15. St. Joseph Bay recruitment plot for 2008. 54 

Figure 16. St. Andrew Bay recruitment plot for 2008. 55 

Figure 17. Restoration station locations with total number of scallops released in the 56 

Pine Island Sound, Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay, and St. Andrew Bay study sites. 

Figure 18. Restoration station locations with total number of scallops released in the 57 

Pensacola Bay study site. 

Figure 19. Growth and mortality plots of community based restoration effort in Sarasota County. 58 

Figure 20. Mortality plot of community based restoration effort in Tampa Bay. 59 
7 

Figure 21. Weekly growth and mortality plots of bay and calico scallops. 60 
8 

Overview of Program 

This report summarizes bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) research conducted by the Molluscan 

Fisheries program at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife 

Research Institute during calendar year 2008. First, we report the results of adult population surveys 

conducted at sites along the west coast of Florida between Pine Island Sound in the south and St. Andrew 

Bay in the northwest (Figure 1). The intent of those surveys is to monitor the status of representative 

scallop populations in Florida and to assess changes in population abundance that may occur in response 

to management and restoration efforts instituted by the State of Florida since 1994. Second, we present 

the results of recruitment monitoring studies that are ongoing in Pine Island Sound, Sarasota Bay, Tampa 

Bay, the near shore zone between Anclote and Crystal River, St. Joseph Bay, and St. Andrew Bay, and 

new sites in Charlotte County, Sarasota County, the Suwannee River area including Homosassa, Cedar 

Key, Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach, and Alligator Harbor (Figure 1). Finally, we provide a summary of 

scallop restoration efforts that are underway in state waters. 

I. Adult Abundance 

1.0 Introduction 

Consistent with each of the previous surveys (e.g., Arnold et al., 2008) our 2008 adult scallop 

sampling protocol consisted of diver transect surveys at replicate and randomly located stations at each of 

11 study sites (see below) during the spring. At each station, we deployed one diver on each side of a 300 

m transect line who searched within one meter of the line along its length. All scallops within that two by 

300 meter area were counted. Surveys were conducted at study sites located in south Pine Island Sound, 

north Pine Island Sound, Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay, Anclote, Hernando, Homosassa, Steinhatchee, St. 

Marks, St. Joseph Bay, and St. Andrew Bay (Figures 3 - 6) during May, June and July. Twenty stations 

were sampled at each site with the exception of south Pine Island Sound (N = four), Sarasota Bay (N = 
9 

ten), and St. Marks (N = eight). Each station comprised a 600 m2 survey area, so we sampled 12,000 m2

of potential bay scallop habitat at most sites. Within each site, differences in mean scallop abundance 

among years were statistically compared using a Waller-Duncan K-ratio t-test (SAS, 1985). If significant 

differences were found among years within a site, then those differences are noted in each table of 

population abundance. 

1.1 Pine Island Sound

Scallop abundance increased from zero in both north and south Pine Island Sound during June 

2008 (Tables 1 and 2). In the north we found a single scallop at each of two of the 20 total stations 

(Figure 3A) and one scallop at one of the four stations surveyed in the south. For both sites the 2008, the 

average was less than the average for all previous years combined. Despite its lush seagrass beds and 

amenable water quality this estuary continues to be the most challenging for scallops and we will 

continue larval release studies and recruitment planting projects in an attempt to restore this population. 

1.2 Sarasota Bay 

We found a record number of scallops (Table 3) at the station nearest the area known as the 

kitchen in Sarasota Bay in July of 2008 (Figure 3D). The average number per transect increased 

dramatically from the previous year (0.20 to 249.90 per 600m2

) as well as the distribution among stations 

(scallops found at one station in 2007, and at all ten stations in 2008). This site was most improved; 

transitioning from a collapsed population to a healthy one with the total number of scallops observed 

increasing from two to 2,499. 
10 

1.3 Tampa Bay 

In 2008, we relocated four survey stations from the upper reaches of the bay and repositioned 

them near areas of scallop restoration efforts (Figure 4A). The distribution of scallops increased in 2008, 

with scallops observed at 18 of 20 stations, up from last year’s 11 of 20 (Table 4). Two of the stations 

near Tarpon Key were extremely rich with scallops, recording over 200 scallops per 600m2

. 

Comparatively, the highest number of scallops observed in 2007 was 33 scallops per 600m2

, and the total 

number of scallops observed within this estuary increased from 106 to 740.

1.4 Anclote 

Although there was a decrease in scallop abundance from last year (Table 5), the average was still 

roughly five times higher than the mean for the previous 14 years, suggesting that this area contains a 

healthy and stable population. The status per station increased from 17 to 19 healthy stations with one 

transitional. Scallops were observed at all 20 survey stations for the second consecutive year (Figure 4B). 

1.5 Hernando 

In 2008, the average scallop abundance doubled at the Hernando study site (Table 6) and was 

roughly five times higher than the mean from the previous 11 years. The overall population density 

remained healthy and scallops were observed at all 20 survey stations for the second consecutive year 

(Figure 4C). 

1.6 Homosassa 

We observed an increase (>2x) in mean scallop abundance at our Homosassa study site in 2008, 

relative to 2007 (Table 7), and the yearly mean was higher than the total mean of the previous 15 years. 

We recorded scallops at all 20 survey stations for the first time since 2000, and only the second time in 16 
11 

years (Figure 4D). We recorded more than 25 scallops 600 m-2, our criteria for a healthy density of 

scallops, at 16 of these stations. 

1.7 Cedar Key 

Due to the low levels of scallops at this site over the past ten years (Table 8), survey was 

suspended at this site. Previous survey stations are illustrated in Figure 5A. 

1.8 Steinhatchee 

Scallop abundance continued to increase at the Steinhatchee study site (Table 9) during 2008, 

with the average number per transect increasing by a factor of 3.5. The mean for the 2008 scallop surveys 

was higher than the mean of the previous 14 years. We found scallops at all 20 of our survey stations 

(Figure 5B), and 17 of these stations supported more than 25 scallops per transect. Steinhatchee 

consistently remains the healthiest and most resilient scallop population we monitor in Florida, with 

healthy means (>25 scallops 600m-2) in 12 out of 15 years surveyed, and with transitional means 

(5>scallops<25 600m-2) in the remaining three years. 

1.9 St. Marks 

We found scallops at all eight stations surveyed (Table 10) in summer 2008, and only one station 

had a less that healthy density. We plan to increase the area surveyed in 2009, adding 12 stations to the 

number surveyed this year (Figure 5C), expanding our panhandle scallop database. In our only previous 

survey in 1995, we found scallops at fewer than half of the 20 stations surveyed and averaged less than 

0.5 scallops per station. 
12 

1.10 St. Joseph Bay 

The scallop population in St. Joseph Bay decreased from a healthy population in 2007, to a 

transitional one in 2008 (Table 11). Scallops were not recorded at six of the 20 stations, the majority of 

these lining the western shore of the bay south of the state park (Figure 5D). In 2008, the average per 

transect was roughly one fifth of the mean of the previous 14 years. The bay is susceptible to red tide 

blooms, and the event observed in November 2007, most likely reduced the available spawning stock and 

number of recruits settling onto grass blades and collectors (see below), translating into low adult 

abundances during spring 2008. 

1.11 Crooked Island Sound 

Due to the low levels of scallops at this site (Table 12) over the past 14 years, survey was 

suspended at this site. Previous survey stations are illustrated in Figure 6A. 

1.12 St. Andrew Bay 

St. Andrew Bay scallop abundance decreased in 2008 (Table 13), and the population remains 

classified as collapsed at this site. The yearly mean was well below the previous 14 years mean. We 

recorded scallops at 11 of our 20 survey stations (Figure 6B), but in no case were they abundant. We will 

continue restoration efforts in this estuary. 

1.13 Pensacola Bay 

We did not survey within Pensacola Bay in 2008. Figure 6C and Table 14 show the station 

locations and abundances from previous surveys. 
13 

1.14 Summary 

Scallop abundances at seven of the 11 sites sampled in 2008 were classified as healthy and the 

same percentage of the sites exhibited population growth. Within these healthy populations, with the 

exception of St. Marks in which no data was available for comparison, abundance increased at 60.8% of 

the stations surveyed, decreased at 36.9%, and remained constant at 2.3%. On the whole, statewide 

scallop populations were both more abundant and widespread in 2008. St. Andrew Bay and Pine Island 

Sound were the only two sites classified as collapsed and remain areas of concern. Historically both of 

these sites contained abundant scallop populations, and it’s our goal to re-establish these estuaries closer 

to their historic levels. 

II. Recruitment 

2.0 Introduction 

We estimate recruitment of new individuals to the scallop population using spat collectors. In 

most cases, these devices consist of a vexar mesh panel encased within a citrus bag that is tied to a 

polypropylene rope. The rope is anchored to a cement block and is supported with a round surface float 

(Arnold et al., 1998). Generally a single collector is deployed at each station and allowed to soak for 

eight weeks prior to retrieval. An additional collector is deployed at the same station, four weeks later, 

and similarly allowed to soak for eight weeks. This overlapping deployment/recovery schedule ensures 

that any recruitment event that occurs just prior to recovery of one series of collectors can be detected on 

the overlapping collector. Upon recovery, collectors are returned to the laboratory for visual examination 

and enumeration of all recruits. Collectors in Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay are processed immediately 

upon retrieval and all recruits collected are returned to FWRI for growout within Bayboro Harbor. These 

scallops will be used at a later date during our ongoing restoration efforts. In addition to our ongoing 

recruitment monitoring we added stations within five sites during 2008: Charlotte County, Sarasota 
14 

County, Suwannee area, Alligator Harbor and Pensacola Bay. At these five sites, and at St. Joseph Bay 

and St. Andrew Bay, collectors are retrieved and deployed by various volunteer scientific agencies and 

shipped to FWRI for processing. Station locations for recruitment monitoring are depicted in Figure 8 for 

south Pine Island Sound, north Pine Island Sound, Sarasota Bay and Tampa Bay, in Figure 9 for 

Homosassa, Hernando, and Anclote, and in Figure 10 for St. Andrew Bay and St. Joseph Bay. Also note 

that the y-axis scale of the recruitment plots changes from site to site associated with changes in the 

magnitude of recruitment at each site. 

2.1 Pine Island Sound 

Starting in October 2008, the configuration of stations within Pine Island Sound was changed 

from five stations with three replicates to 18 stations with one replicate (Figure 5A). In Pine Island Sound 

we recorded spat on collectors retrieved during April (N=16) and May 2008 (N=1), albeit at relatively 

low levels (Figure 7). We are concerned that the low level of recruitment recorded during 2008, 

anticipates a continuation of low adult density at this site. Of the 159 collectors deployed in 2008, nine 

(5.7%) were not retrieved, 123 (77.4%) retrieved had zero scallops, three (1.9%) had bay scallops, and 26 

(16.4%) had calico scallops (Argopecten gibbus). 

2.2 Charlotte County 

We added 12 new recruitment stations within Lemon Bay, Gasparilla Sound and Charlotte Harbor 

in October 2008 (Figure 3B). Only one set of collectors was retrieved during 2008, and of the 12 

collectors deployed one was not retrieved, seven retrieved had zero scallops, two had bay scallops, and 

three had calico scallops. The total scallop recruitment in 2008, was four bay scallops and 36 calico 

scallops. 
15 

2.3 Sarasota County 

In March 2008, we added 15 new recruitment stations (Figure 3C) located throughout Sarasota 

Bay, Roberts Bay, Little Sarasota Bay, Blackburn Bay, Dona Bay, Roberts Bay, and Lemon Bay, 

spanning the entire stretch of Sarasota County. Recruitment peaks were observed in May, June and 

December (Figure 8). Of the 120 collectors deployed in 2008, six (5.0%) were not retrieved, 63 (52.5%) 

retrieved had zero scallops, 45 (37.5%) had bay scallops, and 20 (16.7%) had calico scallops. 

2.4 Sarasota Bay 

We continued our monitoring efforts at the eight stations located in the northern end of Sarasota 

Bay (Figure 3D) and recorded recruitment of bay scallops throughout the year (Figure 9). There was a 

recruitment peak during January and February followed by minimal recruitment to collectors and ending 

in a record peak for this site during December. Fourteen collectors out of the 96 deployed (14.6%) over 

the course of the year were not retrieved. Of the 96 collectors deployed in 2008, 14 (14.6%) were not 

retrieved, 22 (22.9%) retrieved had zero scallops, 53 (55.2%) had bay scallops, and 27 (28.1%) had calico 

scallops. 

2.5 Tampa Bay 

At our six Tampa Bay stations (Figure 4A) strong pulses of recruitment occurred during January 

and December 2008 (Figure 10). Recruitment to collectors was observed during every retrieval event in 

2008. This site recorded the highest overall recruitment with 4,666 scallops settling onto 69 traps. The 

presence of such a large number of recruits suggests that the combination of active restoration, 

management, and relatively stable environmental conditions is supporting a self-sustaining local 

population, a large amount of exogenous larval supply, or some combination of both. Of the 72 collectors 

deployed in 2008, three (4.2%) were not retrieved, 13 (18.1%) retrieved had zero scallops, 55 (76.4%) 
16 

had bay scallops, and 14 (19.4%) had calico scallops. 

2.6 Anclote 

We recorded recruitment during every retrieval event in 2008, and at each of our 12 Anclote 

monitoring stations (Figure 4B), with peaks during January through April and September through 

December (Figure 11). Recruits have been detected at Anclote during each month since November of 

2005, suggesting that spawning has occurred continuously over 38 consecutive months. Of the 144 

collectors deployed in 2008, 37 (25.7% - the highest recorded loss of collectors per site) were not 

retrieved, 26 (18.1%) retrieved had zero scallops, and 81 (56.3%) had bay scallops. 

 

2.7 Hernando 

At the Hernando study site stations (Figure 4C), we recorded an elevated peak in recruitment 

during January, minimal recruitment through August, and a noticeable fall peak in 2008 (Figure 12). We 

recorded at least some recruits during every month except September, albeit at much lower numbers than 

at Anclote, as well as recruits at each of the 12 monitoring stations. Of the 144 collectors deployed in 

2008, six (4.2%) were not retrieved, 54 (37.5%) retrieved had zero scallops, and 84 (58.3%) had bay 

scallops. 

2.8 Homosassa 

At our 12 Homosassa stations (Figure 4D), we collected a total of 41 spat from 131 collectors 

(Figure 13), with small peaks in January through February and September through October. Homosassa 

continues to show little correlation between the location and timing of recruitment events and adult 

abundance patterns. Of the 144 collectors deployed in 2008, 13 (9.0%) were not retrieved, 109 (75.7%) 

retrieved had zero scallops, and 22 (15.3%) had bay scallops. 
17 

 

2.9 Suwannee area

In 2008 we added up to four stations per site at Homosassa (February), Cedar Key (February), 

Steinhatchee (January) and Keaton Beach (October) in concordance with stone crab research. Difficulties 

arose in managing the Homosassa and Cedar Key sites and as a result they were discontinued. The 

remaining station locations are shown in Figure 5 B and C. 

Before discontinuation, a total of 20 spat on 19 retrieved collectors were observed at the 

Homosassa site, and one spat on five retrieved collectors at the Cedar Key site. 

Steinhatchee has the longest running coverage with peaks in March, October and November 

(Figure 14) with 53 bay scallops observed. Of the 44 collectors deployed in 2008, six (13.6%) were not 

retrieved, 22 (50.0%) retrieved had zero scallops, and 16 (36.4%) had bay scallops. 

 A total of 41 spat were observed on the 16 collectors from the Keaton Beach site. Of these 16 

collectors deployed in Keaton Beach in 2008 all were retrieved, seven (43.8%) had zero scallops, and 

nine (56.3%) had bay scallops. 

2.10 Alligator Harbor

In late 2008 we added four recruitment monitoring stations in Alligator Harbor (Figure 5C). All 

four collectors were retrieved in December and there was no scallop spat attached. 

2.11 St. Joseph Bay 

Recruitment was limited at the four St. Joe Bay stations (Figure 5D) and was likely the result of a 

red tide event in November 2007. There was a small peak in February, the majority located at Station 1 

near the mouth of the Bay, and then minimal recruitment until November (Figure 15). A strong peak, the 

highest in the state in 2008, was observed in December, with 3,258 scallops settling on the 12 collectors 
18 

deployed. While the December spatfall occurred at all stations, 86.8% was recorded at the two stations 

near the mouth of the bay, possibly suggesting that the larvae were transported into the bay from an 

alternative source. Of the 132 collectors deployed in 2008, 16 (12.1%) were not retrieved, 69 (52.3%) 

retrieved had zero scallops, and 47 (35.6%) had bay scallops. 

 

2.12 St. Andrew Bay 

At the ten St. Andrew Bay stations (Figure 6B), scallop recruits were recorded during each 

retrieval event in 2008 (Figure 16), with a peak in March and then again in November through December. 

 This population appears to function in a manner similar to more northern populations that typically 

spawn at the end of spring in response to the spring phytoplankton bloom and rising temperatures (Barber 

and Blake, 1991). Of the 90 collectors deployed in 2008, nine (10.0%) were not retrieved, 11 (12.2%) 

retrieved had zero scallops, 50 (55.6%) had bay scallops, and five (5.6%) had calico scallops. We have 

also observed other Pectinid species on the collectors deployed at this site over the course of 2008, 

including Ravenel’s (Pecten raveneli) and Rough (Aequipecten muscosus) scallops. 

2.13 Pensacola Bay 

In the fall of 2008, a new recruitment monitoring station with two replicate collectors was 

deployed within this estuary (Figure 6C) near Spanish Cove, just west of Ft. Pickens and Pensacola Pass. 

The first two sets of collectors, both pulled in November of 2008, held a total of 221 bay scallops. This 

number was greater by 100 scallops than the total sum of our prior recruitment monitoring effort which 

spanned from October, 2002 to February, 2006. 

2.14 Summary 

Calendar year 2008, was by and large a good year for bay scallop recruitment in Florida waters, 
19 

with the exception of Pine Island Sound. This Sound contains vast areas of lush seagrass but was 

essentially devoid of recruits, most likely reflective of the scarcity of adults available for reproduction. 

Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay, and Anclote all had exceptionally high numbers of adults, and these numbers 

were reflected in high recruitment levels. St. Joseph Bay did not have a high level of adults, yet 

succeeded in having the highest recruitment during December 2008. The newly added sites show 

promise; for example, Keaton Beach logged the same number of recruits as Homosassa with a third of the 

number of traps. Hopefully these new monitoring sites will help to provide more insight into bay scallop 

larval movement around the Gulf coast and help to elucidate the apparent difference in recruit to adult 

ratios between bays and open coastal ecosystems. We have also communicated with John Fajans 

stationed at the FWC Keys Marine Lab and plan to deploy traps in Florida Bay during 2009. 

III. Restoration Activities 

3.0 Introduction

In 2008, we continued restoration efforts in Pine Island Sound, St. Andrew Bay, Pensacola Bay, 

Sarasota Bay, and Tampa Bay. We utilized several sources/techniques for restoration, chief among these 

being the retention and culture of scallop spat (i.e., new recruits) collected during recruitment monitoring 

efforts in Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and St. Andrew Bay. In November 2007, and September 2008, we 

deployed a secondary set of collectors in St. Andrew Bay to soak over the winter months in order to 

amplify the number of recruits collected. These collectors consisted of either a one meter by 80 cm piece 

of netron mesh or a similar amount of black netting that was bunched up and stuffed into a citrus bag, 

adding both surface area and volume to the collector. Once the collectors were retrieved and immediately 

processed, the spat collected were transferred to mesh bags and transported back to the FWRI where they 

were placed in cages and deployed off the FWRI dock into Bayboro Harbor until they reached a size 
20 

capable of avoiding predation pressure (> 20 mm shell height). We also collected and reared scallop spat 

retained on the transport containers employed during our May 2007, larval release and that were initially 

spawned by Curt Hemmel at Bay Shellfish Inc. Once these spat reached this “plantable” size they were 

used as stock in various restoration schemes. We also partnered with Tampa Bay Watch staff to collect 

600 adult scallops from Tampa Bay waters near Tarpon Key that were placed in cages and hung off of 

local volunteer docks. The scallops remained in the cages throughout their short life cycle with the 

assumption that they spawned before their death. 

Using these simple techniques we successfully collected 3,800 scallops from St. Andrew Bay, 

2,929 from Tampa Bay, and 581 from Sarasota Bay. The majority of the scallops we collected were used 

in free plantings where they were gently released back into suitable seagrass habitats within the target 

estuaries. Due to the lack of recruits and adults available from Pine Island Sound, the restoration 

activities in this area used scallops collected from the next closest estuary, in this case Sarasota Bay. 

Similarly 217 scallops collected from St. Andrew Bay were transported to Pensacola Bay and released at 

two locations. In collaboration with scientists at Sarasota County, a batch of approximately 455 scallops 

was divided into groups of 25 individuals and each group then placed loosely in a cage and suspended 

from a volunteer dock within the estuaries of Sarasota County (Sarasota – Lemon Bays). We also 

partnered with Mote Marine Lab to complete larval releases in Pine Island Sound, Sarasota Bay and 

Tampa Bay. 

3.1 Pine Island Sound 

On February 23, 2008, Dr. Jay Leverone transported 600 scallops from the Bayboro Harbor stock 

and released them at Pine Island Sound survey Stations 3 and 4 (Figure 17A). On May 16, 2008, Dr. 

Leverone transported 412 scallops from Bayboro Harbor and released at Pine Island Sound survey Station 

3. Despite these efforts, no scallops were detected at survey stations nearest the release sites during June. 

Restoration efforts continued on November 24, 2008, when Jim Culter transported ~three million larvae 
21 

spawned by Bay Shellfish Inc. and 85 scallops from Bayboro Harbor to Pine Island Sound and released 

them near survey Stations 3 and 4. A total of 1,097 adults and ~three million larvae were released into 

Pine Island Sound in 2008. 

 

3.2 Sarasota County 

On July 21 and 23, 2008, Sarah Stephenson of FWRI and Rene Jannemann of Sarasota County 

transported 455 scallops from Bayboro Harbor and deployed them in 18 cages off volunteer homeowner 

docks in Sarasota Bay, Roberts Bay, Little Sarasota Bay, Blackburn Bay, Dona Bay, Roberts Bay, and 

Lemon Bay. The volunteers monitored the caged scallops at least once a month for mortality and growth 

rates. During the December cage monitoring efforts, 95 of the original 455 scallops (20.9%) remained 

alive and the average shell heights ranged from 40.0 to 64.5 mm (Figure 19). Initial results indicate that 

only one site, near Philippee Creek, may be uninhabitable by bay scallops as all scallops planted at this 

location were deceased by the first cage check. 

3.3 Sarasota Bay 

On January 15, 2008, FWRI staff transported 200 scallops from Bayboro Harbor and released 

them into seagrass beds near Coon Key in Sarasota Bay (Figure 17B). On March 18, 2008, FWRI staff 

transported 312 scallops from Bayboro Harbor and released them into seagrass beds near Coon Key. On 

April 21, 2008, FWRI staff transported 177 scallops from Bayboro Harbor and released them into 

seagrass beds near Jewfish Key. On December 8, 2008, Jim Culter transported ~ one million larvae from 

Bay Shellfish Inc. and released them into seagrass beds in the southern area of Sarasota Bay. A total of 

689 adults and ~one million larvae were released into the Sarasota Bay system in 2008. 

3.4 Tampa Bay 
22 

On February 7, 2008, FWRI staff transported 300 scallops from Bayboro Harbor and released 

them into seagrass beds near Wheedon Island (Figure 17C). On March 13, 2008, FWRI staff transported 

453 scallops from Bayboro Harbor and released 296 into seagrass beds near north of the Gandy Bridge, 

57 into a cage north of the Gandy Bridge, and 100 into a seagrass bed south of the Gandy Bridge. The 

juvenile scallops released into the seagrass beds were tagged with colored plastic strips and released with 

the goal of relocating them during summer surveys. However, we were unable to recover any of the 

tagged scallops in July of 2008, during the Tampa Bay annual survey. The 57 caged scallops were 

deployed to determine if the water quality in this portion of Tampa Bay was conducive to scallop 

survivorship. The cage was retrieved on May 29, 2008, and shell heights and scallop density recorded. 

Fifty-four of the original 57 (94.7%) were still alive and the average shell height increased from 19.5 to 

41.9 mm. On April 22, 2008, FWRI staff within the Fisheries Independent Monitoring program 

transported 270 scallops from Bayboro Harbor and released them into seagrass beds near MacDill Air 

Force Base. On May 29, 2008, FWRI staff transported 203 scallops from Bayboro Harbor and released 

them into seagrass beds near Apollo Beach. On October 2, 2008, 621 scallops were collected from 

Tampa Bay survey Stations 11 and 14 by FWRI and Tampa Bay Watch staff. These scallops were 

transported back to Bay Watch headquarters and divvied into groups, transported to volunteer docks, 

placed into cages and suspended into Tampa Bay waters. Tampa Bay Watch staff monitored the cages 

monthly and counted the total number of live scallops per date. Survival rates by site are plotted in 

Figure 20 and to date 19% of the initial batch remains alive. On December 8, 2008, FWRI staff 

transported ~ three million larvae from Bay Shellfish Inc. and released them into seagrass beds near 

Wheedon Island, Gulfport, and Ft. DeSoto. A total of 1,226 adults and ~three million larvae were 

released into Tampa Bay in 2008. 

 

3.5 St. Andrew Bay 

On January 29, 2008, FWRI staff collected 1,699 scallops off the secondary set of collectors 
23 

deployed in 2007, several of which were large enough to free plant back into local waters. We released 

531 near the Panama City airport and 209 near Gulf Coast Community College in North Bay (Figure 

17D). The remaining scallops were transported back to FWRI for growout. On March 27, 2008, FWRI 

staff transported 474 scallops from Bayboro Harbor to St. Andrew Bay and released them at four 

locations throughout the bay. On May 26, 2008, FWRI staff transported 200 scallops from Bayboro to St. 

Andrew Bay and released them into seagrass beds near two bay scallop survey stations. On September 

26, we deployed 50 secondary collectors spread among at five stations (10 collectors per station) spread 

through the St. Andrew Bay system. On December 15 and 16, 2008, FWRI staff collected a total of 2,841 

scallops off the ten Vexar collectors regularly deployed and off the 50 secondary set of collectors. 

Scallops that were above 15 mm in shell height were divided into groups of 25 individuals and placed in 

mesh bags within plastic cages and hung from docks at the NOAA facility. These scallops will be 

distributed to volunteers and Gulf Coast Community College students and monitored monthly for growth 

and mortality rates. 

3.6 Pensacola Bay 

On May 5, 2008 FWRI staff transported 217 scallops from Bayboro Harbor to Pensacola Bay and 

released them into seagrass beds near Spanish Point and the EPA lab (Figure 18). These scallops 

originated from the January St. Andrew Bay spat collection effort. 

3.7 Summary 

Harvesting scallop recruits via spat collectors and using natural waters to grow them to an 

acceptable size is an inexpensive and easy method of restoring depleted populations. We will continue to 

employ this method in 2009. This approach also presents opportunities to discover and study new 

specifics about various Molluscan species that attach to and are recovered on the collectors. In 2008 we 

conducted basic growth and mortality trials on bay and calico scallops that were collected from Tampa 
24 

Bay and grown out in cages hung off the FWRI dock in Bayboro Harbor. Results are shown in figure 21. 

 

IV. References 

Arnold, W.S., D.C. Marelli, C.P. Bray and M.M. Harrison, 1998. Recruitment of bay scallops 

Argopecten irradians in Floridan Gulf of Mexico waters: scales of coherence. Mar. Ecol. Prog. 

Ser. 170: 143-157. 

Arnold, W.S., S.P. Geiger, M. Parker, S. Stephenson, J. Cobb, M. Gambordella, M. Poplaski, J. Stone and 

B. Brown, 2008. Annual report of the bay scallop project, 2007. Report to the Division of 

Marine Fisheries, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 37 pp. 

Barber, B.J. and Blake, N.J. 1991. Reproductive Physiology. In Scallops: Biology, Ecology and 

Aquaculture. Edited by S.E. Shumway. Elsevier, Amsterdam pp. 377-420. 

SAS Institute, Inc., 1985. SAS User’s Guide: Statistics, Version 5 Edition. SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, 

North Carolina, 956 pp. 
25 

Table 1. Adult bay scallop density at each of 20 stations sampled at the south Pine Island Sound, Florida 

study site during each June from 2004 through 2006, at each of 10 stations during June 2007, and at each 

of four stations during June 2008. Scallop density at each station is reported per 600 m2

 transect. The ‘Z’ 

indicates that the station was not sampled. 

STA 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

1 0 0 0 Z Z 

2 0 0 0 Z Z 

3 0 1 4 0 Z 

4 0 0 0 Z Z 

5 0 0 0 0 Z 

6 0 0 1 Z Z 

7 0 0 0 Z Z 

8 0 0 0 Z Z 

9 0 1 1 Z Z 

10 0 0 0 Z Z 

11 0 0 1 0 0 

12 0 0 1 0 Z 

13 0 0 1 0 0 

14 0 3 0 0 Z 

15 0 1 3 Z Z 

16 0 0 0 Z Z 

17 0 21 0 0 Z 

18 0 8 6 0 1 

19 1 0 3 0 Z 

20 0 13 5 0 0 

MEAN 0.1 2.4 1.3 0.0 0.3 

S.D. 0.2 5.5 1.9 0.0 0.5 
26 

Table 2. Adult bay scallop density at each of 20 stations sampled at the north Pine Island Sound study 

site during each June from 1994 through 2008. Scallop density at each station is reported per 600 m2

transect. Results of the Waller-Duncan (W.D.) comparison of means (letters) are presented with the 

population means; similar letters denote averages that were not different at a significance level of 0.05. 

STA 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 13 7 0 0 

2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 38 13 0 0 

3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 123 7 0 0 

4 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 25 0 3 3 545 40 0 0 

5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 39 3 0 0 

6 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 1 0 0 

7 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 5 3 0 0 

8 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 18 15 0 0 

9 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 

10 0 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 

11 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 7 4 0 0 

12 0 34 1 5 5 1 0 22 1 0 1 122 2 0 0 

13 0 9 0 4 0 0 0 37 0 2 1 99 2 0 0 

14 0 0 0 15 0 0 0 2 7 0 2 59 2 0 0 

15 0 1 0 5 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 39 9 0 0 

16 0 1 0 2 0 1 2 7 0 1 1 203 7 0 0 

17 0 0 9 9 22 12 8 12 0 4 2 255 14 0 1 

18 0 0 3 0 14 25 1 3 0 1 1 44 0 0 1 

19 0 1 0 2 0 7 0 0 0 0 1 27 12 0 0 

20 0 1 0 0 3 5 8 0 0 0 8 226 16 0 0 

MEAN 0.0 2.5 0.8 2.3 2.4 2.6 2.8 5.5 0.7 0.6 1.1 93.4 8.2 0.0 0.1 

S.D. 0.0 7.7 2.1 3.9 5.7 6.1 5.3 10.5 1.6 1.1 1.9 131.9 9.1 0.0 0.3 

W.D. B B B B B B B B B B B A B B B 
27 

Table 3. Adult bay scallop density at each of 10 stations sampled at the Sarasota Bay study site during 

each June from 2007 through 2008. Scallop density at each station is reported per 600 m2

 transect. 

STA 2007 2008 

1 2 46 

2 0 43 

3 0 1931 

4 0 1 

5 0 2 

6 0 323 

7 0 116 

8 0 6 

9 0 25 

10 0 6 

MEAN 0.2 249.9 

S.D. 0.6 598.8 
28 

Table 4. Adult bay scallop density at each of 20 stations sampled at the Tampa Bay study site during 

each June from 2007 through 2008. Scallop density at each station is reported per 600 m2

 transect. 

STA 2007 2008 

1 0 1 

2 0 1 

3 0 6 

4 0 10 

5 16 2 

6 1 17 

7 6 24 

8 0 0 

9 26 10 

10 0 22 

11 1 262 

12 0 2 

13 0 37 

14 2 284 

15 0 0 

16 3 22 

17 11 6 

18 3 4 

19 33 26 

20 4 4 

MEAN 5.3 37.0 

S.D. 9.3 81.5 
29 

Table 5. Adult bay scallop density at each of 20 stations sampled at the Anclote study site during each 

June from 1994 through 2008. Scallop density at each station is reported per 600 m2

 transect. Results of 

the Waller-Duncan (W.D.) comparison of means (letters) are presented with the population means; similar 

letters denote averages that were not different at a significance level of 0.05. 

STA 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

1 1 0 4 43 0 0 1 0 6 0 0 0 1 78 277 

2 72 0 3 49 0 1 171 8 49 9 1 60 6 306 113 

3 15 0 2 307 0 8 177 8 20 3 0 8 10 182 56 

4 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 22 4 0 14 0 58 55 

5 106 0 0 20 0 0 7 14 26 25 1 27 3 60 49 

6 3 0 0 4 0 0 6 2 61 100 0 50 18 21 19 

7 21 0 0 1 0 1 3 26 25 3 0 49 2 117 68 

8 14 0 12 136 0 2 8 0 14 4 0 10 7 319 115 

9 2 3 0 4 0 0 0 12 8 167 2 4 9 110 68 

10 1 0 1 30 0 0 2 0 64 4 0 7 2 231 270 

11 1 0 2 27 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 50 397 

12 14 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 7 69 

13 12 0 0 8 0 0 0 1 4 19 0 0 3 10 270 

14 0 0 11 14 1 4 12 12 9 48 0 11 3 99 95 

15 1 0 1 141 17 13 4 0 10 125 30 148 15 135 182 

16 5 0 23 87 46 9 4 7 280 110 15 12 27 232 76 

17 9 0 6 20 313 8 27 24 16 50 0 24 70 931 212 

18 1 0 3 42 17 0 7 3 9 4 0 27 31 337 102 

19 1 0 0 8 12 2 9 1 4 5 0 15 12 150 162 

20 14 0 0 4 0 1 2 0 115 34 8 61 17 45 102 

MEAN 14.7 0.2 3.4 47.4 20.3 2.5 22.2 5.9 37.2 35.8 2.9 26.4 11.9 173.9 137.9 

S.D. 26.8 0.7 5.8 74.1 69.8 3.9 52.3 8.1 63.7 49.8 7.37 34.9 16.3 16.3 99.7 

W.D. B,C C C B B,C C B,C C B,C B,C C B,C B,C A A 
30 

Table 6. Adult bay scallop density at each of 20 stations sampled at the Hernando study site during each 

June from 1997 through 2008. Scallop density at each station is reported per 600 m2

 transect. Results of 

the Waller-Duncan (W.D.) comparison of means (letters) are presented with the population means; similar 

letters denote averages that were not different at a significance level of 0.05. 

STA 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

1 3 0 0 13 13 2 4 0 7 1 16 353 

2 11 0 33 76 110 5 4 0 7 14 46 320 

3 134 3 17 213 555 12 73 0 222 13 118 125 

4 80 6 43 48 105 1 30 0 86 65 204 123 

5 9 0 1 29 61 17 8 1 3 0 19 54 

6 1 0 2 31 2 10 1 0 0 1 19 23 

7 0 0 0 10 0 9 0 0 0 1 3 23 

8 0 0 0 14 2 5 0 0 0 3 5 45 

9 1 0 1 66 6 6 0 2 1 4 9 35 

10 3 0 1 43 6 3 9 13 1 4 5 33 

11 0 0 5 17 5 4 0 1 0 3 2 29 

12 0 0 1 61 2 5 0 0 2 0 7 22 

13 10 0 4 18 7 6 0 2 2 2 23 53 

14 1 0 0 15 6 9 0 3 2 0 12 46 

15 10 1 2 54 14 6 2 9 4 9 15 14 

16 2 1 1 7 5 9 1 2 1 2 11 24 

17 8 0 3 27 7 5 6 0 2 13 13 174 

18 6 0 0 28 10 9 7 10 6 4 25 108 

19 6 0 0 25 5 8 8 23 3 6 48 88 

20 0 0 0 49 1 13 6 0 0 0 9 3 

MEAN 14.3 0.6 5.7 42.2 46.1 7.2 8.0 3.3 17.5 6.7 30.5 79.8

S.D. 33.1 1.5 11.8 45.0 124.2 3.9 16.8 6.0 51.7 14.3 48.4 94.8 

W.D. B,C C C B B C C C B,C C B,C A 
31 

Table 7. Adult bay scallop density at each of 20 stations sampled at the Homosassa study site during each 

June from 1994 through 2008. Scallop density at each station is reported per 600 m2

 transect. Results of 

the Waller-Duncan (W.D.) comparison of means (letters) are presented with the population means; similar 

letters denote averages that were not different at a significance level of 0.05. 

STA 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

1 3 0 0 9 0 3 23 74 16 6 0 2 6 3 11 

2 38 9 2 17 0 3 87 209 51 522 5 20 8 27 59 

3 5 9 5 18 2 7 29 185 31 93 0 57 24 14 32 

4 1 4 0 19 0 36 323 735 113 170 0 39 8 121 58 

5 0 14 5 15 0 33 395 489 78 194 1 47 30 37 34 

6 0 1 9 7 0 70 724 121 68 119 0 87 74 24 14 

7 1 2 5 5 34 47 817 174 79 201 1 159 39 43 39 

8 5 27 4 27 3 13 850 663 69 210 6 85 29 24 90 

9 3 7 4 13 13 54 614 391 82 498 6 340 37 70 215 

10 19 3 2 58 6 9 165 1237 63 62 59 186 29 116 79 

11 0 1 0 5 1 2 23 39 7 29 2 4 0 32 128 

12 0 1 3 0 0 0 12 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 16 

13 23 6 2 12 0 13 231 380 63 114 9 192 7 213 74 

14 15 0 9 23 2 48 352 339 13 125 11 158 30 49 38 

15 4 1 2 7 0 3 45 173 45 61 12 34 15 92 287 

16 3 3 1 6 0 5 28 197 21 5 2 0 2 7 175 

17 3 1 6 0 0 13 25 133 109 1 0 5 22 15 201 

18 9 3 3 55 0 212 88 431 122 102 0 31 69 68 109 

19 5 2 1 8 0 2 25 11 4 1 0 0 9 3 64 

20 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 

MEAN 6.9 4.7 3.2 15.2 3.1 28.7 242.9 299.3 51.8 125.7 5.7 72.3 21.9 48.0 86.2 

S.D. 9.8 6.4 2.7 16.0 7.9 48.1 290.0 305.4 38.9 149.8 13.2 90.9 21.3 53.5 78.1 

W.D. D D D D D C,D A A C,D B D B,C,D C,D C,D B,C 
32 

Table 8. Adult bay scallop density at each of 6 stations sampled at the Cedar Key study site during each 

June from 1998 through 2007. Scallop density at each station is reported per 600 m2

 transect. Results of 

the Waller-Duncan (W.D.) comparison of means (letters) are presented with the population means; similar 

letters denote averages that were not different at a significance level of 0.05. 

STA 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

1 0 1 1 5 0 12 0 0 3 1 

2 0 0 0 8 2 4 0 1 1 1 

3 1 4 0 26 5 2 0 20 16 0 

4 0 4 0 1 1 6 0 5 2 1 

5 1 0 1 5 0 10 0 2 0 1 

6 3 7 0 1 6 2 0 0 1 0 

MEAN 0.8 2.7 0.3 7.7 2.3 6.0 0.0 4.7 3.8 0.7 

S.D. 1.2 2.8 0.5 9.4 2.6 4.2 0.0 7.7 6.1 0.5 

W.D. A,B A,B B A A,B A,B B A,B A,B A,B 
33 

Table 9. Adult bay scallop density at each of 20 stations sampled at the Steinhatchee study site during 

each June from 1994 through 2008. Scallop density at each station is reported per 600 m2

 transect. 

Results of the Waller-Duncan (W.D.) comparison of means (letters) are presented with the population 

means; similar letters denote averages that were not different at a significance level of 0.05. 

STA 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

1 189 13 527 1 9 43 946 19 61 115 0 0 1 64 68 

2 284 48 36 5 100 97 17 41 61 54 51 5 41 3 27 

3 89 16 128 103 90 97 24 70 139 6 186 53 56 21 84 

4 338 14 269 13 18 34 196 93 24 0 0 31 1 47 25 

5 650 14 1878 25 16 105 99 430 90 10 4 36 4 94 128 

6 234 22 210 37 0 137 75 48 204 3 8 83 19 12 37 

7 81 4 73 3 4 29 115 47 170 57 2 49 5 20 27 

8 0 1 0 3 0 2 5 8 1 0 0 3 2 8 19 

9 169 43 498 23 40 158 84 57 563 7 2 15 20 60 42 

10 10 0 76 1 3 10 0 33 62 1 0 22 7 15 2 

11 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 2 0 2 0 62 1 

12 281 0 415 30 0 638 1603 804 185 61 2 2 15 51 231 

13 10 8 41 6 0 46 124 214 152 6 18 1 5 17 191 

14 257 4 119 7 7 129 9 7 18 129 2 3 1 123 281 

15 120 1 65 6 0 52 8 21 69 168 0 4 2 36 657 

16 1 30 71 30 20 545 49 48 22 82 2 37 16 42 311 

17 13 23 118 42 35 789 208 150 142 84 15 36 11 13 149 

18 133 3 44 14 3 19 313 44 370 129 1 10 1 8 161 

19 121 313 284 135 111 332 278 101 182 132 78 10 4 4 269 

20 85 27 151 34 91 27 213 220 247 180 4 52 12 35 89 

MEAN 153.3 29.2 250.2 25.9 27.4 164.5 218.3 122.8 138.7 61.3 18.8 22.7 11.2 36.8 140.0

S.D. 159.0 68.3 414.4 35.0 38.2 227.3 388.5 190.0 136.9 62.1 44.1 23.4 14.5 32.0 156.9 

W.D. A,B,C D,E,F A D,E,F D,E,F A,B,C A,B B,C,D 

,E,F 

A,B,C 

,D,E 

C,D, 

E,F F E,F F D,E,F A,B ,C,D 
34 

 

Table 10. Adult bay scallop density at each of 20 stations sampled in 1995 and 8 stations sampled in 

2008 at the St. Marks study site. Scallop density at each station is reported per 600 m2

 transect. 

STA 1995 2008 

1 0 255 

2 1 553 

3 0 207 

4 0 36 

5 0 48 

6 0 2 

7 1 155 

8 0 104 

9 0 Z 

10 0 Z 

11 0 Z 

12 0 Z 

13 1 Z 

14 1 Z 

15 1 Z 

16 1 Z 

17 1 Z 

18 0 Z 

19 0 Z 

20 0 Z 

MEAN 0.5 170.0 

S.D. 0.6 177.7 
35 

Table 11. Adult bay scallop density at each of 20 stations sampled at the St. Joseph Bay study site during 

each June from 1994 through 2008. Scallop density at each station is reported per 600 m2

 transect. 

Results of the Waller-Duncan (W.D.) comparison of means (letters) are presented with the population 

means; similar letters denote averages that were not different at a significance level of 0.05. 

STA 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

1 16 1 4 2 0 1 0 0 11 0 2 2 0 113 1 

2 2 1 64 10 0 35 9 0 48 1 2 3 7 112 5 

3 12 6 2 3 0 10 22 0 26 5 1 6 13 36 7 

4 1 2 0 0 12 11 18 0 42 8 1 0 7 60 4 

5 8 67 2 2 0 29 5 0 32 2 1 1 14 8 6 

6 15 205 114 19 3 43 3 0 4 0 0 2 56 22 3 

7 5 114 55 7 4 30 0 0 79 4 0 1 69 17 4 

8 265 348 140 93 90 105 4 41 243 30 0 486 48 90 46 

9 61 118 43 11 7 29 0 4 7 201 23 214 10 26 28 

10 7 711 363 111 18 53 3 3 86 67 12 154 30 41 42 

11 0 5 759 10 25 31 1 1 3 14 0 9 7 58 0 

12 5 233 1143 40 26 13 1 167 46 54 0 30 5 49 29 

13 3 195 369 62 45 9 0 4 59 26 0 2 121 11 4 

14 19 270 820 10 2 4 0 10 30 5 5 28 22 26 9 

15 5 11 44 1 9 22 0 0 0 2 0 22 2 16 0 

16 9 14 228 14 10 5 0 0 1 5 0 20 32 14 0 

17 2 44 282 2 7 7 0 1 0 3 0 9 13 11 0 

18 1 25 240 0 4 7 1 0 0 10 0 20 84 10 0 

19 2 17 179 7 5 14 0 1 3 42 0 12 14 13 0 

20 279 257 103 142 2 164 10 10 30 95 0 165 159 92 38 

MEAN 35.9 132.2 247.7 27.3 13.5 31.1 3.9 12.1 37.5 28.7 2.4 59.3 35.7 41.3 11.3 

S.D. 81.9 175.5 312.2 41.5 21.3 48.3 6.3 37.6 55.2 48.2 5.6 118.3 43.0 35.1 15.6 

W.D. C B A C C C C C C C C C C C C 
36 

Table 12. Adult bay scallop density at each of 7 stations sampled at the Crooked Island Sound study site 

during each June from 1994 through 2007. Scallop density at each station is reported per 600 m2

 transect. 

Results of the Waller-Duncan (W.D.) comparison of means (letters) are presented with the population means; 

similar letters denote averages that were not different at a significance level of 0.05. 

STA 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

14 23 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 

15 0 9 7 0 0 8 0 0 1 2 13 0 4 8 

16 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 

17 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 2 0 0 

18 5 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 7 2 0 

19 24 1 13 3 0 8 1 0 0 0 6 0 0 1 

20 0 1 5 3 4 4 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 3 

MEAN 7.7 2.4 4.0 0.9 0.7 2.9 0.1 0.0 2.3 0.6 2.7 1.6 0.9 1.7 

S.D. 10.9 3.1 4.8 1.5 1.5 3.8 0.4 0.0 2.1 0.8 5.1 2.6 1.56 3.0 

W.D. A A,B A,B B B A,B B B A,B B A,B B B B 
37 

Table 13. Adult bay scallop density at each of 13 stations sampled at the St. Andrew Bay study site 

during each June from 1994 through 2006, and for those same 13 stations plus an additional seven 

stations added for the 2007-2008 survey. Scallop density at each station is reported per 600 m2

 transect. 

Results of the Waller-Duncan (W.D.) comparison of means (letters) are presented with the population 

means only for the original 13 sample stations for which the experimental design was balanced; similar 

letters denote averages that were not different at a significance level of 0.05. The ‘Z’ indicates that the 

station was not sampled during that year. Note that the mean and standard deviation for each of 2007 and 

2008 presented in the table are calculated from the original 13 stations only. 

STA 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

1 1 4 12 1 1 0 0 0 1 2 3 10 0 2 1 

2 5 13 6 5 0 0 2 0 0 15 1 10 0 4 1 

3 70 16 155 9 0 1 2 0 2 3 0 2 0 2 1 

4 244 8 23 0 0 1 1 0 1 5 0 24 0 12 2 

5 50 1 20 2 2 0 0 0 12 2 0 3 0 5 2 

6 96 20 13 0 0 1 0 0 5 2 0 8 0 5 0 

7 144 6 2 0 2 4 0 0 7 1 1 8 0 2 7 

8 173 13 11 0 31 3 1 0 7 1 3 41 0 0 0 

9 149 8 39 1 0 0 1 1 7 5 0 12 0 6 0 

10 68 0 26 1 0 5 1 0 36 3 0 37 0 8 0 

11 69 5 5 0 1 9 12 0 38 83 0 13 0 2 2 

12 6 2 6 4 0 1 1 0 0 4 1 1 0 4 5 

13 6 2 56 8 1 2 2 0 25 1 0 7 2 3 1 

14 Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z 0 1 

15 Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z 3 0 

16 Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z 0 19 

17 Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z 0 0 

18 Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z 0 0 

19 Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z 2 0 

20 Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z 0 0 

MEAN 83.2 7.5 28.8 2.4 2.9 2.1 1.8 0.1 10.9 9.8 0.7 13.5 0.1 4.2 1.7 

S.D. 75.6 6.3 40.9 3.2 8.5 2.6 3.2 0.3 13.4 22.3 1.1 12.7 0.5 3.1 2.1 

W.D. A C B C C C C C C C C B,C C C C 
38 

Table 14. Adult bay scallop density at each of 20 stations sampled at the Pensacola Bay study site during 

each June from 1995 and 2002 through 2005. Scallop density at each station is reported per 600 m2

transect. Results of the Waller-Duncan (W.D.) comparison of means (letters) are presented with the 

population means; similar letters denote averages that were not different at a significance level of 0.05. 

STA 1995 2002 2003 2004 2005 

1 0 0 0 0 0 

2 0 1 0 0 0 

3 0 0 0 0 0 

4 0 0 0 0 0 

5 0 0 0 0 0 

6 0 0 0 0 0 

7 0 0 0 0 0 

8 0 0 0 0 0 

9 0 0 0 0 0 

10 0 1 0 0 0 

11 0 0 0 0 0 

12 0 0 0 0 0 

13 0 0 1 0 0 

14 0 0 4 0 0 

15 0 1 2 0 0 

16 0 0 4 0 0 

17 0 0 1 0 0 

18 0 0 0 0 0 

19 0 0 0 0 0 

20 0 0 0 0 0 

MEAN 0.0 0.2 0.6 0.0 0.0 

S.D. 0.0 0.4 1.3 0.0 0.0 

W,D. B B A B B 
39 

Figure 1. Bay Scallop study sites. 
40 

Figure 2. Bay scallop annual abundances. Asterisks denote years in which scallop surveys were not 

performed. 

0

100

200

300

 Homosassa

0

50

100

250

300

 St. Andrew Bay

0

100

200

300

 St. Joe Bay

0

100

200

300

 Steinhatchee

Mean Density (#/600m

2)

0

50

100

250

300

 Hernando

0

100

200

300

 Anclote

Year

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

0

50

100

250

300

 Pine Island Sound

***
41 

Figure 3. Survey and recruitment monitoring stations in A) Pine Island Sound, B) Charlotte Harbor, C) 

Sarasota County, and D) Sarasota Bay. Blue numbers represent survey stations and black squares 

represent recruitment monitoring stations. In Pine Island Sound (A) the dotted line divides the areas 

designated as north and south, and the white squares represent the discontinued configuration of 

recruitment collectors. 
42 

Figure 4. Survey and recruitment monitoring stations in A) Tampa Bay, B) Anclote, C) Hernando, and 

D) Homosassa. Blue numbers represent survey stations and black squares represent recruitment 

monitoring stations. 
43 

Figure 5. Survey and recruitment stations in A) Cedar Key, B) Steinhatchee, C) Keaton Beach, St. 

Marks, and Alligator Harbor, and D) St. Joseph Bay. Blue numbers represent survey stations and black 

squares represent recruitment monitoring stations. 
44 

Figure 6. Survey and recruitment stations in A) Crooked Island Sound, B) St. Andrew Bay, and C) 

Pensacola Bay. Blue numbers represent survey stations and black squares represent recruitment 

monitoring stations. 
45 

Figure 7. Average daily recruitment of bay scallops to collectors at the Pine Island Sound study site 

during 2008. Asterisks denote lost traps. Shaded areas denote discontinued or pre-recruitment periods. 

 

0.0

0.5

1.0

Recruits/Collector/Day 0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

1/1/08 

2/1/08 

3/1/08

4/1/08 

5/1/08 

6/1/08 

7/1/08 

8/1/08

9/1/08 

10/1/08

11/1/08 

12/1/08

0.0

0.5

1.0

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Station 4

Station 5
46 

Figure 7 continued 

1/1/2008

2/1/2008

3/1/2008

4/1/2008

5/1/2008

6/1/2008

7/1/2008

8/1/2008

9/1/2008

10/1/2008

11/1/2008

12/1/2008

0.0

0.5

1.0

Recruits/Collector/Day 0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

**

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Station 4

Station 5

Station 6

Station 7

Station 8

Station 9
47 

Figure 7 continued

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

Recruits/Collector/Day 0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

1/1/2008

2/1/2008

3/1/2008

4/1/2008

5/1/2008

6/1/2008

7/1/2008

8/1/2008

9/1/2008

10/1/2008

11/1/2008

12/1/2008

0.0

0.5

1.0

*

Station 18

Station 17

Station 16

Station 15

Station 14

Station 13

Station 12

Station 11

Station 10

*
48 

Figure 8. Average daily recruitment of bay scallops to collectors at the Sarasota County study site during 

2008. Shaded areas denote pre-recruitment periods and asterisks denote lost traps. 

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

*

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

*

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

*

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

*

Recruits/Collector/Day 0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

*

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

*

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

Dec 

Jan 

Feb 

Mar 

Apr 

May 

Jun 

Jul 

Aug 

Sep 

Oct 

Nov 

Dec 

Jan 

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Station 4

Station 5

Station 6

Station 7

Station 8

Station 9

Station 10

Station 11

Station 12

Station 13

Station 14

Station 15
49 

Figure 9. Average daily recruitment of bay scallops to collectors at the Sarasota Bay study site during 

2008. Asterisks denote lost traps. 

1/1/08

2/1/08

3/1/08

4/1/08

5/1/08

6/1/08

7/1/08

8/1/08

9/1/08

10/1/08

11/1/08

12/1/08

0

5

10

Recruits/Collector/Day

0

5

10

*

0

5

10

0

5

10

* *

0

5

10

* ** * *

0

5

10

* *

0

5

10

* * * *

0

5

10

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Station 4

Station 5

Station 6

Station 7

Station 8
50 

Figure 10. Average daily recruitment of bay scallops to collectors at the Tampa Bay study site during 

2008. Asterisks denote lost traps. Recruits/Collector/Day

0

5

10

15

0

5

10

15

1/1/08

2/1/08

3/1/08

4/1/08

5/1/08

6/1/08

7/1/08

8/1/08

9/1/08

10/1/08

11/1/08

12/1/08

0

5

10

15

0

5

10

15

*

0

5

10

15

*

0

5

10

15

*

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Station 6

Station 5

Station 4
51 

Figure 11. Average daily recruitment of bay scallops to collectors at the Anclote study site during 2008. 

Asterisks denote lost traps. 

0

5

10

* *** * *** * *

0

5

10

* * * * * * * *

0

5

10

*

0

5

10

* * * * *

0

5

10

* * *

0

5

10

* ** *

0

5

10

* *

0

5

10

0

5

10

*

0

5

10

* *

0

5

10

1/1/08

2/1/08

3/1/08

4/1/08

5/1/08

6/1/08

7/1/08

8/1/08

9/1/08

10/1/08

11/1/08 

12/1/08

0

5

10

*

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Station 4

Station 5

Station 6

Station 7

Station 8

Station 9

Station 10

Station 11

Station 12

Recruits/Collector/Day
52 

Figure 12. Average daily recruitment of bay scallops to collectors at the Hernando study site during 

2008. Asterisks denote lost traps. 

0.0

1.5

3.0

0.0

1.5

3.0

0.0

1.5

3.0

0.0

1.5

3.0

* *

0.0

1.5

3.0

0.0

1.5

3.0

0.0

1.5

3.0

0.0

1.5

3.0

0.0

1.5

3.0

0.0

1.5

3.0

0.0

1.5

3.0

*

1/1/08 

2/1/08

3/1/08 

4/1/08 

5/1/08 

6/1/08 

7/1/08 

8/1/08

9/1/08 

10/1/08

11/1/08

12/1/08

0.0

1.5

3.0

* * *

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Station 4

Station 5

Station 6

Station 7

Station 8

Station 9

Station 10

Station 11

Station 12

Recruits/Collector/Day
53 

Figure 13. Average daily recruitment of bay scallops to collectors at the Homosassa study site during 

2008. Asterisks denote lost traps. 

0.0

0.5

1.0

* * * *

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

* *

0.0

0.5

1.0

*

0.0

0.5

1.0

*

0.0

0.5

1.0

* *

0.0

0.5

1.0

**

0.0

0.5

1.0

*

1/1/08 

2/1/08

3/1/08 

4/1/08 

5/1/08 

6/1/08 

7/1/08 

8/1/08

9/1/08 

10/1/08

11/1/08

12/1/08

0.0

0.5

1.0

*

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Station 4

Station 5

Station 6

Station 7

Station 8

Station 9

Station 10

Station 11

Station 12

Recruits/Collector/Day
54 

Figure 14. Average daily recruitment of bay scallops to collectors at the Steinhatchee study site during 

2008. Asterisks denote lost traps. 

0.0

0.5

1.0

*

0.0

0.5

1.0

*

0.0

0.5

1.0

*

1/1/08

2/1/08 

3/1/08 

4/1/08 

5/1/08 

6/1/08

7/1/08 

8/1/08 

9/1/08 

10/1/08 

11/1/08 

12/1/08 

0.0

0.5

1.0

* *

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Station 4

Recruits/Collector/Day

Figure 15. Average daily recruitment of bay scallops to collectors at the St. Joseph Bay study site during 

2008. Asterisks denote lost traps. 

0

1

2

0

1

2

*

0

1

2

1/1/08

2/1/08 

3/1/08 

4/1/08 

5/1/08 

6/1/08

7/1/08 

8/1/08 

9/1/08 

10/1/08 

11/1/08 

12/1/08 

0

1

2

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Station 4

Recruits/Collector/Day
55 

Figure 16. Average daily recruitment of bay scallops to collectors at the St. Andrew Bay study site 

during 2008. Asterisks denote lost traps. 

1/1/08 

2/1/08 

3/1/08 

4/1/08 5/1/08 

6/1/08 

7/1/08 

8/1/08 

9/1/08 

10/1/08 

11/1/08 12/1/08 

0

1

2

*

0

1

2

*

0

1

2

*

0

1

2

*

0

1

2

Recruits/Collector/Day 0

1

2

*

0

1

2

0

1

2

* *

0

1

2

* *

0

1

2

Station 1

Station 2

Station 6

Station 7

Station 8

Station 9

Station 10

Station 15

Station 16

Station 17
56 

Figure 17. Restoration sites in A) Pine Island Sound, B) Sarasota Bay system, C) Tampa Bay and D) St. 

Andrew Bay. Black numbers indicate the number of scallops that were released. Numbers > one million 

represent larval releases, and those less than one million represent juvenile releases. 
57 

Figure 18. Restoration sites and survey stations in Pensacola Bay. Black numbers indicate the number of 

juvenile scallops released. 
58 

Figure 19. Growth (A) and mortality (B) plots for Sarasota County volunteer-based scallop restoration 

cages. 

JulyAugust September October Nov Dec

Shellheight (mm)

20

40

60

80

A)

July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

% Survivorship

0

20

40

60

80

100 B)
59 

Figure 20. Scallop mortality plot for Tampa Bay volunteer-based scallop restoration cages monitored by 

Tampa Bay Watch staff. 

10/1/08 11/1/08 12/1/08 1/1/09 2/1/09 3/1/09 4/1/09 

Percent Survival

0

20

40

60

80

100

Kinter 

Mueller 

TBW 

Weiner 

 
60 

Figure 21. Shell height (A), weekly growth rate (B), and mortality rate (C) comparisons between bay 

scallop and calico scallop species grown in Bayboro Harbor. 

Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 

Shell Height (mm)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Bay 

Calico

Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 

Survivorship

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

A

C

Weekly Growth (mm)

Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

B