The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper


Vol. 16 No. 42 - August 17, 2016

reel time

Big turn out at annual scallop search

Reel time

rUSTY CHINNIS | SUn

Scallop searchers snorkel over a transect in Sarasota Bay near New Pass.

 

Sarasota Bay Watch held its Ninth Annual Scallop Search at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron on Saturday Aug. 13. The event, which continues to grow in popularity, included over 120 volunteers and 60 boats that combed the waters of Sarasota from Big Pass to Longboat Pass.

Before they headed out, searchers were addressed by Sarasota Bay Watch President Larry Stults on how to identify scallops and the method used to locate them. Stults also made the participants aware of the many projects that Sarasota Bay Watch is involved in including the upcoming Scallopalooza Fund Raiser at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

Unfortunately, the water was cloudy over most of the search area, the result of heavy rains in the past two weeks. There also was a red tide event this past summer that might have negatively affected the scallops. Although there were few live scallops found this year, there were many other forms of sea life recorded including clams, welks and starfish.

The live scallops that were found made it clear that despite the negative conditions, scallops continue to inhabit bay waters. This past year, Sarasota Bay Watch and partners at Mote Marine and Sarasota County have changed their tactics in scallop releases. Instead of releasing tiny juvenile spat, larger more fully developed juvenile scallops are being cultured and released.

There also is a program being implemented by Sarasota County, Sarasota Bay Watch and Mote Marine that places adult scallops in cages to protect them from predators. The cages also keep scallops close together where it is hoped their spawning will be more productive.

Searchers also found many recently deceased scallops. The dead ones were large and clean with few barnacles and algae on them. This suggested that the scallops had been active recently. While the scallops may have been killed by predators it could also have been the result of recent spawning, the influx of fresh water to the bay or the impact of red tide. To make an expert determination of cause, volunteers were encouraged to collect the shells so that they could be examined by local experts.

Volunteers searched 45 transects. The crafts included boats, kayaks and Sarasota High School's Carefree Learner. This was a community event with many students enjoying the search while acquiring community service hours for their efforts.

After the search, the volunteers returned to the Sailing Squadron where they were treated to lunch by board member Steve Martin. Sarasota Bay Watch and the community owe a special thanks to the Sailing Squadron and Martin for supporting the Scallop Search!


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