{"id":2188866,"date":"2025-10-25T18:00:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-25T16:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/?p=2188866"},"modified":"2025-10-25T13:39:45","modified_gmt":"2025-10-25T11:39:45","slug":"locally-extinct-for-a-century-bay-scallops-thriving-again-on-virginia-shore-of-chesapeake-bay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/locally-extinct-for-a-century-bay-scallops-thriving-again-on-virginia-shore-of-chesapeake-bay\/","title":{"rendered":"Locally Extinct for a Century, Bay Scallops Thriving Again on Virginia Shore of Chesapeake Bay"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bay scallops are making an incredible resurgence in coastal bays along Virginia\u2019s Eastern Shore, according to a new survey.<\/p>\n

The exponential population growth is the result of decades of dedicated seagrass restoration efforts that allowed scientists to reintroduce the species to its former home.<\/p>\n

Locally extinct since the 1930s due to habitat loss, bay scallops are thriving again, with help from the College of William & Mary\u2019s and VIMS Eastern Shore Laboratory (ESL) in Wachapreague, Virginia.<\/p>\n

The comeback could possibly set the stage for a future recreational fishery.<\/p>\n

During the Bay Scallop Survey for 2025, the group routinely documented finding multiple scallops within a single square meter\u2014something unimaginable just a few years ago.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the researchers estimate the population will double in less than 18 months.<\/p>\n

Virginians may one day be able to harvest local bay scallops for themselves, if the current moratorium on harvesting them along Virginia shores were lifted with the approval of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe restoration of bay scallops to their former range along the Virginian Eastern Shore represents a significant societal and ecological achievement,\u201d said VIMS ESL Director Richard Snyder in a media release.<\/p>\n

\"Seeding
Seeding scallops \u2013 Credit: William & Mary\u2019s Batten School & VIMS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bay scallops (Argopecten irradians) once thrived in Virginia waters until an eelgrass wasting disease in the 1930s decimated their natural habitat. For approximately 90 years, the species was absent from the commonwealth\u2019s coastal bays.<\/p>\n

However, in 1997, William & Mary\u2019s Batten School & VIMS researchers launched a seed-based submerged aquatic vegetation restoration project, now considered the largest and most successful seagrass restoration in the world.<\/p>\n

Early years showed relatively low, fluctuating numbers, but recently the population has grown exponentially and researchers say its upper limit remains unknown.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s incredibly fulfilling to see this progress,\u201d said Darian Kelley, a nursery manager at VIMS ESL who works closely with regional shellfish farmers.<\/p>\n

\"Bay
Bay scallop \u2013 Credit: William & Mary\u2019s Batten School & VIMS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThe combined success is creating a more resilient and productive coastal ecosystem while potentially adding a new product to our state\u2019s aquaculture industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

This article<\/a> was first published by Good News Network on 12 October 2025. Lead Image: Bay Scallops \u2013 Credit: William & Mary\u2019s Batten School & VIMS.
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