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Scallops Under Threat

November 18, 2018

Atlantic sea scallops are a $500 million annual industry, but WHOI scientists believe they may be in danger. A new model developed by WHOI researcher Jennie Rheuban suggests that as human-induced climate change increases carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere, the surface ocean becomes more acidic, which in turn could eliminate more than half of sea scallops in the next 30 to 80 years, under a worst-case scenario. However, strong fisheries management and efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions might slow or even stop that trend. This conceptual diagram of the model links sea scallop population dynamics (pink), possible climate change and ocean acidification impacts (yellow), and economic development and management strategies. (Illustration by Natalie Renier, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)