Queen Scallops: Quick Facts
Scientific name: Zygochlamys delicatula
Other names: tipa (Maori), southern queen, NZ gem scallop, NZ gem shellfish
Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)
Best Fish Guide: Queen Scallops
Ranking: E (Red- Worst Chioce)
Alternative Choice: Cockles
Description: This is the smaller of two commercially fished scallop species in New Zealand. It is found mainly in southern waters from South Canterbury and Stewart Island to the Sub-Antarctic Islands. As with the more common scallops (Pecten novaezealandiae), they are found on the seafloor in sandy or muddy habitats. Queen scallops are a deeper species, found in waters up to 400m. They are harvested by dredging.
Ecological concerns: Dredging is a highly destructive fishing method. Fishing for queen scallops involves the use of bottom trawl nets, which are dragged along the seafloor. It results in a high bycatch of many non-target species, including invertebrates, and dramatically alters seabed ecology and associated species assemblages. Also of concern is the absence of directed research, unknown sustainability of current catch levels, absence of population size or yield estimates and the lack of a management plan.
Economic value: The market for queen scallops includes New Zealand, Australia and Asia.
ASSESSMENT OUTPUT
Biology and risk of overfishing (score C)
Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D)
Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and B)
Management and management unit (score D and D)
For a full ecological assessment, click here
