Seafood to Avoid Queen scallops Scientific name: Chlamys delicatula Other names: tipa (Maori), southern queen, NZ gem scallop, NZ gem shellfish Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)

Icon Explanations

The main concerns with this fishery are: the high bycatch caused by dredging which takes many non-target species, including invertebratates, and alters benthic ecology, the unknown sustainability of current catch levels, the absence of biomass or yield estimates, the absence of directed research, and the lack of a management plan.

The fishery assessment plenary report states: "It is not known if current catch levels are sustainable, or if they are at a level that will allow the stock to move towards a size that will support sustainable yields". (MFish, p692).

Market: Including New Zealand and Europe.

Status and sustainable yield
Status: Depleted in some areas, Uncertain in others.
Annual catch limit: The catch limit was set at 380 tonnes in 2002.
Recorded catch: Reported landings of 18.6 tonnes in 2005-06.
Population size: An estimate from a trawl survey in 2005 is uncertain.
Stock trends: Unknown.

Fishing method
Method: Dredging.
Habitat damage: Dredging bulldozes the seabed and removes a range of fragile invertebrate species including bryozoans and sponges.
Bycatch: Non-target shellfish species and invertebrate species including bryozoans and sponges.
Ecological effects: Impact of dredging on benthic ecology.

Management
Stock assessment: No quantitative stock assessments, an unstandardised relative biomass is available from a 2004 survey..
Management plan: No.
Quota Management Species: Yes, since 2002 in FMA 3 and 5.

Biology
Distribution: From South Canterbury to Stewart Island and offshore islands from the Snares Islands to as far south as Macquarie Island, Australia.
Maximum age (years): 10+
Age at sexual maturity: 4-5
Growth rate: Low.
Reproductive output: High.
Age exploited: 8?

This page was updated on 9 November, 2007