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| Target species |
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Mud scallops Amusium pleuronectes
Saucer scallops Amusium japonicum balloti
For biology of these species see the information sheet on the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries website |
| Status & trends |
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The harvest of saucer scallops (illustrated in the graph above) is much larger than mud scallops with the highest-producing area for saucer scallops between Hydrographers Passage (20.5°S) and Noosa (27°S). Mud scallops are usually taken as bycatch of the northern trawl fishery. The catch varies between years because the scallops are short-lived. The saucer scallop resource is considered to be heavily exploited (Williams, 2002).
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| Effort in GBRWHA in 2003 |
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Tonnes: 442.4
Boats: 288
Days: 7,650
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004, with permission of Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
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| Gross Value of Production (GVP) in GBRWHA in 2003 |
$8.8m
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004, with permission of Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
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| Location of fishing |
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Saucer Scallops are caught further south between Hervey Bay to Townsville in waters of 40m or more.
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004, with permission of Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
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Mud scallops are caught in shallow, northern waters as a byproduct of the trawl fishery
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004, with permission of Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. |
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| Harvest methods |
Otter trawl |
| Management |
Managed by Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. Some areas closed to trawling on a rotational basis with varying fishing periods permitted at different times to provide a refuge for scallops.
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| Monitoring/ research |
The Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries (DPI&F) monitor saucer scallops each year as part of their Long-Term Monitoring Program (LTMP) The survey evaluates the effectiveness of seasonal and rotational protected area closures in stabilising recruitment and maximising yields. The DPI&F monitor recruitment to the fishery in areas of high catch and effort.
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| Further reading |
Williams LE. 2002. Queensland's Fisheries Resources. Current Condition and Recent Trends 1988-2000. Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane, Australia. |
