Expanding bay scallop restoration in Pine Island Sound using competent larvae. Final report.

Abstract

This report describes activities involving the restoration of the bay scallop populations in Pine Island Sound, Florida. The activities were inspired by and built upon the results of a 2003 project which demonstrated that controlled releases of competent larvae could be a viable method for ultimately restoring the populations. The study extended the range of restoration target sites into Southern Pine Island Sound, an area which once supported historical populations of bay scallops as well. By conducting a portion of the restoration activities further south, a comparison of results could be made between northern and southern Pine Island Sound. Potential influences from freshwater inflow might also be detected from these comparisons.