Queen scallop
A small commercially exploited scallop from the northeast Atlantic.
The queen scallop, scientifically known as *Aequipecten opercularis*, is a medium-sized edible marine bivalve mollusk belonging to the scallop family Pectinidae. It inhabits the northeast Atlantic and holds commercial importance in fisheries. Measuring roughly 7 centimeters (3 inches) across, it ranks among the smaller scallop species that are harvested for food.
Its shell is often quite colorful, thin, and brittle, featuring about twenty radiating ribs. The left valve is slightly more rounded than the right. One ear-like projection (auricle) on the right valve is larger than the other, creating a notch near the hinge. Young scallops use this notch to spin byssal threads with a modified foot, while older individuals are free-swimming.
The queen scallop feeds on plankton and is typically found at depths up to 40 meters (130 feet), though it has been recorded as deep as 400 meters (1,300 feet). Its range extends from Norway south to the Canary Islands and into the Mediterranean, and it is common in the North Sea on sandy or gravelly seabeds.
Around the Isle of Man, this species is locally known as the "Manx queenie." Over the years, fluctuating landings have led Manx fishermen to adopt technical conservation rules to keep stocks healthy. These measures include restrictions on fishing times, closed seasons, and limits on the number of dredges allowed. Two conservation areas within the island’s territorial waters—one established in 1989 and another in 2008—are closed to mobile fishing. The fishing industry supports these areas; in fact, the fishermen themselves initiated the creation of the Douglas closed area. Data analysis suggests these zones are effective, helping to ensure sustainable fishing of the Manx queenie.
The Isle of Man Queenie Festival is an annual week-long event celebrating the scallop, with many local restaurants, hotels, and pubs serving queen scallops. Activities include sailing, diving, barbecues, beach days, sea swims, and entertainment. Isle of Man queenies have also earned the European Union Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) stamp.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Aequipecten
- Species
- opercularis
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The queen scallop has a thin, brittle shell that is sometimes quite colorful, with about twenty radiating ribs. The left valve is slightly more convex than the right one. One auricle of the right valve is larger than the other, creating a notch near the hinge used by the modified foot in young scallops to spin byssal threads; older scallops are free swimming. This species feeds on a diet of plankton and is commonly found up to 40 m below sea level, though it has been known to exist up to 400 m below sea level. Its distribution ranges from Norway south to the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean, and it is common in the North Sea on beds of sand and gravel.
Reader's Guide
The queen scallop is notable for its importance in fisheries, particularly around the Isle of Man in the British Isles, where it is known locally as the 'Manx queenie'. Due to the vagaries of landings over the years, Manx fishermen have worked on technical conservation regulations to ensure robust stocks. These include restrictions on fishing times, closed seasons, and limitations on the number of dredges permitted. Two conservation areas in the island's territorial waters—one in place since 1989 and the other created in 2008—are closed to mobile fishing. These areas are supported by the fishing industry; the fishermen themselves started the initiative to create the Douglas closed area. Data analysis appears to support the viability of these areas, which appear to help ensure that the Manx queenie can be fished sustainably. The Isle of Man Queenie Festival is an annual, week-long celebration featuring many restaurants, hotels, and pubs serving queen scallops, along with events such as sailing, diving, barbecues, beach days, sea swims, and entertainment. Isle of Man queenies have been awarded the European Union Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) stamp.
Did You Know?
- The queen scallop is one of the smaller scallop species commercially exploited, at about 7 cm (3 in) in size.
- Its shell is thin and brittle, with about twenty radiating ribs.
- Older queen scallops are free swimming, while young ones use byssal threads.
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