Kate Tolley

Bay scallop recruitment in Masonboro Sound and the New River in southeastern North Carolina: the relationship between recruitment and proximity to seagrass beds

ABSTRACT

This study compared scallop recruitment in southeast North Carolina at two sites: Masonboro Sound, where seagrass is absent, and New River, where seagrass is present. Three questions were investigated: recruitment at Masonboro Sound versus New River, recruitment in October versus November, and scallop shell height between sites and months. The hypotheses were that recruitment would be greater at New River, with the highest recruitment in October, as well as greater shell heights. Recruitment was significantly greater at the New River site, 75±13.84 in October and 307±86.87 in November, compared to Masonboro Sound, 8±4.26 in October and 4±0.58 in November (P = 0.003). Recruitment was also significantly greater in November compared to October at the New River site (P < 0.001). Scallop shell height was significantly different by site; the average at New River was 1.89±0.08 mm, while at Masonboro Sound it was 1.32±0.06 mm. Scallop height only differed significantly by site and time at New River (P < 0.001), the October average was 2.21±0.16 mm and in November the average was 1.15±0.03 mm. The October scallops may have recruited to the traps early in the collection period and had more time to grow, while the November scallops may have recruited later and did not have as much time to grow. Also, warmer water temperatures in October facilitate better growth. This data confirms other studies that scallops recruit best in areas with seagrass, but are also able to recruit in areas with no seagrass.