Bay scallops along Virginia’s Eastern Shore seem poised for a comeback. After several years of exponential growth, the results of the annual population survey show the density of bay scallops in southern coastal bays has reached nearly 0.07 scallops per square meter. This may not be enough to support a recreational fishery, but it could be close. 

Scientists at William & Mary’s Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) led the survey and have been working to restore the population of bay scallops in Virginia since 2012.

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