- Queen scallop
The Queen scallop ("Aequipecten opercularis") is a medium-sized member of the
scallop family, a species of edible marinebivalve mollusk . At about 7 cm in size, it is one of the smaller scallops that is commercially exploited. The shell of this species is sometimes quite colorful.The queen scallop feeds on a diet of
plankton , and is commonly found up to 40 metres below mean sea level, although it has been known to exist up to 400 metres below sea level.The Isle of Man is famous for the Queen Scallop or Queenie known locally. Due to the vagaries of landings over the years Manx Fishermen have worked on technical conservation regulations in order to ensure that stocks of the Queenie have remained robust. These have included restrictions on fishing times, closed seasons and limitations on the amount of dredges permitted. The Island also has two areas in Manx waters, one that has been in place since 1989 and the other created in 2008, that are closed to mobile fishing. These are supported by the fishing industry and indeed the impetus for the Douglas closed area was started by the fishermen. Data analysis seems to support the viability of these areas and helps to ensure that the Manx Queenie is fished sustainably.
The Isle of Man's first ever Queenie Festival http://www.queeniefestival.com/ will take place in the Isle of Man between 2nd - 9th of August 2008. The festival is a week long celebration of the Queenie with many restaurants, hotels and pubs all having Queen Scallops on the menu. The Queenie Festival will reach a climax with a Marine Day A Festival of the Sea taking place in Port St Mary http://www.gov.im/harbours/portstmaryport.xml.
References
External links: http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Aequipectenopercularis.htm
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