Bay scallops surge on the Eastern Shore

Virginia’s bay scallop population is making a comeback after nearly a century of absence, say researchers from William & Mary’s Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s Eastern Shore Laboratory (VIMS ESL) in Wachapreague. Once locally extinct due to the loss of eelgrass habitat, bay scallops are now thriving again in the restored seagrass meadows of the southern coastal bays, with densities reaching levels not seen in generations. Researchers say a recreational fishery could soon be within reach.

The 2025 VIMS Bay Scallop Survey recorded an average density of 0.114 scallops per square meter—enough to meet Florida’s threshold for a stable population. “The restoration of bay scallops to their former range along the Virginia Eastern Shore represents a significant societal and ecological achievement,” said VIMS ESL Director Richard Snyder. Scientists estimate the population may double within 18 months, signaling that natural spawning may now be occurring in the wild for the first time in decades.

Bay scallops once thrived along the Eastern Shore until eelgrass disease wiped out their habitat in the 1930s. In 1997, researchers began an eelgrass restoration effort that has since grown to more than 10,000 acres—considered the most successful seagrass restoration project in the world. With that foundation, VIMS ESL launched a scallop restoration initiative in 2009, cultivating scallops in its Castagna Hatchery and releasing them into restored seagrass beds. “By continuing to deploy spawning cages and release scallops, we’ve likely reached the levels needed for a self-sustaining population,” said Assistant Director Stacy Krueger-Hadfield.

The restoration’s success is fueled by grants, private donations, and tireless work by staff, interns, and volunteers. “It’s incredibly fulfilling that the local population may be approaching self-sustaining levels,” said Nursery Manager Darian Kelley. Hatchery Manager Reba Turner Smith added that the effort reflects both ecological dedication and community pride: “Shellfish are such an important part of Virginia’s environment, economy, and culture, and we’re hopeful that bay scallops will soon reclaim their place in all three.”