Pecten novaezelandiae
Endemic New Zealand scallop, a major commercial and recreational fishery species.
The New Zealand scallop, *Pecten novaezelandiae* (sometimes misspelt *Pecten novaezealandiae*), is a bivalve mollusc in the family Pectinidae. Endemic to New Zealand, it occurs around the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and the Chatham Islands.
This scallop is free-living, mobile, and somewhat migratory. Its two valves are asymmetric: the left valve is convex with about 16 ribs, while the right is flat. Colour varies, usually a whitish pink but occasionally a dark reddish brown. Natural predators include sea stars and octopus. It lives on sand, silt, and mud from the low tide line down to over 90 metres, with large populations typically found between 10 and 25 metres deep.
*P. novaezelandiae* is a hermaphrodite and a broadcast spawner. Spawning season varies by location; in Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere, it peaks from November to March. After fertilisation, a planktonic larva forms, lasting about three weeks. It then metamorphoses into a benthic form, attaching to suitable substrate until it reaches at least five millimetres in length. Once detached, it grows into an adult, usually reaching maturity by 18 months.
The species supports a large commercial and recreational fishery in New Zealand, and its meat is considered a fine food. The large white adductor muscle is eaten, and sometimes the orange and white gonad as well. Fishing is allowed only during specific seasons, with size and catch limits managed under a quota system. In areas like Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere, scallop spat is seeded to help sustain the fishery.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Pecten
- Species
- novaezelandiae
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Pecten novaezelandiae was first scientifically described by Lovell Augustus Reeve in 1852 as Pecten Novæ-Zelandiæ. Its name is sometimes misspelt as Pecten novaezealandiae. The species is completely free-living, mobile, and somewhat migratory. Its two valves are asymmetric: the left valve is convex while the right is flat, and the concave valve has approximately 16 ribs. Colour is variable, usually whitish pink but sometimes dark reddish brown. Natural predators include sea stars and octopus.
Reader's Guide
The New Zealand scallop supports a large industry and is an important export product of New Zealand. The large white adductor muscle is eaten, and occasionally the orange and white gonad is also consumed. It is considered a fine food and can be expensive. Both recreational and commercial fishing are allowed during specific scallop seasons, with size and catch limits controlled by a quota management system. In areas of suitable habitat such as Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere, scallop spat is seeded to help achieve a sustainable fishery. Sexually mature individuals are hermaphrodites and broadcast spawners, with spawning season varying by location. After fertilization, a planktonic larva forms and remains for about three weeks before metamorphosing into a benthic form that attaches to substrate until it reaches at least five millimetres in length, then detaches and grows to adulthood, typically reaching maturity by 18 months.
Did You Know?
- The species is endemic to New Zealand, found in the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and the Chatham Islands.
- Natural predators of this scallop include sea stars and octopus.
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