The Scallop is one of the most highly valued and tastiest of all sea foods. It is a shellfish caught in large numbers commercially by divers and fishermen. Fishermen generally use “dredging” gear to fish for Scallops. This basically involves a large metal “net” being dragged along the sea-bed behind a fishing boat, scooping up Scallops as it goes.

Scallops are a member of the Mollusc family, which also include Sea Snails and Octopus. Scallops are known as bi-valves, as they have two shells (valves) hinged together. Unlike most other bi-valves (e.g. Mussel, Oyster) the Scallop’s two shells are not the same. The bottom shell is very rounded, while the top shell is almost completely flat. The Scallop lies on its rounded shell, which allows it to partially bury in the sand and blend in with its surroundings.

The opening between the two shells is where the Scallop feeds; allowing water to flow through so that plankton and organic matter can be filtered out. This opening is lined by many small primitive eyes, which help the Scallop sense when it is in danger of attack.

Scallops are surprisingly good swimmers, and can jet rapidly backwards by repeatedly clapping together their two shells. This is a tactic commonly employed in order to escape the marauding arms of Starfish, who unsurprisingly also find their flesh very tempting.

The edible flesh of the Scallop consists of the large white aductor muscle, which controls the movement of the Scallop’s two shells, and the orange fleshy ovaries.