Kinetics of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxins,okadaic acid,dinophysistoxin-1, pectenotoxin-6 and yessotoxin in scallops <Emphasis Type="Italic">Patinopecten yessoensis</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   Four toxins, okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX1), pectenotoxin-6 (PTX6), and yessotoxin (YTX), all associated with diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), were administered via syringe to Scallops Patinopecten yessoensis and their distribution in the hepatopancreas, adductor muscle, and combined other tissues (mantle, gill, gonad) was analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Toxins exclusively remained in the hepatopancreas irrespective of the injection site, adductor muscle or hepatopancreas. When injected into hepatopancreas, OA, DTX1, and YTX were metabolized to 7- O -palmitoylOA, 7- O -palmitoylDTX1 and 45-hydroxyyessotoxin (45OH-YTX), respectively. Such metabolic changes were insignificant when toxins were injected into the adductor muscle. The residual ratio for each toxin in the hepatopancreas was less than 20%. Mortalities of scallops treated with PTX6 were lower than those treated with other toxins.     

Quantification of lipophilic toxins associated with diarrhetic shellfish poisoning in Japanese bivalves by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and comparison with mouse bioassay

ABSTRACT:   Quantification of lipophilic toxins in bivalves associated with diarrhetic shellfish poisoning was investigated by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Using a C8-silica reversed phase column and a mobile phase of aqueous acetonitrile containing 2 mM ammonium formate and 50 mM formic acid, okadaic acid, dinophysistoxin-1, 7- O -palmitoyldinophysistoxin-1, pectenotoxin-1, pectenotoxin-2, pectenotoxin-6, pectenotoxin-2 seco-acid, yessotoxin, and 45-hydroxyyessotoxin in bivalves were quantified by LC–MS in the negative mode. When the crude 90% methanol extracts were analyzed by LC–MS, there were no significant effects from bivalve matrices on the quantification of toxins. More than 200 bivalve samples collected from various production areas in Japan were analyzed by LC–MS. Pectenotoxin-6 and dinophysistoxin-1 were the dominant toxins in scallops and mussels, respectively. Yessotoxin and 45-hydroxyyessotoxin were also detected in both species. Comparison of the quantitative results obtained for these bivalve samples between LC–MS and mouse bioassay indicates that LC–MS is suitable for routine monitoring of lipophilic toxins in Japanese bivalves.     

Occurrence of toxic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dinophysis acuminata</Emphasis> (Dinophyceae) in Uranouchi Inlet,Japan

In the Uranouchi Inlet, which has a commercial fishery of littleneck clam Ruditapes philippinarum, potentially toxigenic species of Dinophysis acuminata showed an annual occurrence except for the summer of 2000–2002. Relatively high abundances of D. acuminata were observed in April 2000 and November 2002. Some samples of D. acuminata cells, which were collected from the inlet in autumn 2002, contained pectenotoxin-2 (0.9–2.8 pg/cell) and okadaic acid (1.9–2.8 pg/cell). Cell length and hypotheca width of D. acuminata found in the Uranouchi Inlet were 33.7–45.0 and 21.0–31.6 μm, respectively. The length-width ratios ranged 1.21–1.71. Sequences of the 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene and flanking internal transcribed spacers, 1 and 2 of cells of D. acuminata from the inlet fell into a D. acuminata complex clade that included, D. acuminata-D. sacculus-D. acuta reported by others. In the inlet, occurrences of D. acuminata were detected within a broad water temperature range between 13.0 and 26.9°C, and those showing more than 25 cells/L were within 16.4–17.3°C for temperature and 27.6 and 34.1 for salinity. This is the first report that cells of Dinophysis acuminata from southern Japanese coastal waters contained okadaic acid and pectenotoxin-2.     

Predation risk management of sea stars (Asterias amurensis and Distolasterias nipon) by adjusting the density and size of seeded scallops (Mizuhopecten yessoensis): an improvement to local mariculture

Optimizing the release density and size of juvenile commercial species for local ecosystems is a critical issue that should be considered when countering predation impacts. To ascertain whether mariculture production of the Japanese scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) could be enhanced by modifying releasing practices, we experimentally investigated the effects of density and size of scallop seeds on their survival in the presence of two sea star species, Asterias amurensis and Distolasterias nipon, with different predation capacities. Under current mariculture practices, the juveniles are briefly exposed to air just before release; therefore, we also examined how air exposure stress increased the predation risk. Scallop survival in the presence of both sea stars increased by?>?20% by increasing scallop size from 30 to 50 mm. Increasing scallop density (range: 5 to 30 scallops m^?2) increased each individual’s survival in the presence of A. amurensis but had no significant effect on predation by D. nipon. Therefore, the release of smaller quantities of large-sized scallops rather than larger quantities of small scallops is recommended to reduce D. nipon predation. In the presence of sea stars, especially by D. nipon, the predation impact on small scallops increased after just a few hours of air exposure, indicating that air exposure of juvenile scallops should be minimized. Our results will mitigate the economic cost of mariculture by facilitating the determination of optimal release conditions for juvenile scallops.

     

The effect of transportation on the juvenile scallop Pecten maximus (L.)

At the present time, there is little information concerning the effect of transport on the physiology of scallops. Therefore, the overall objective of this study was to use the adenylic energetic charge (AEC) as an indicator of stress in scallops. Three transport trials were carried out: dry transport in polystyrene boxes containing seaweed and transport by vivier lorry at various densities. Post-transport scallop mortality was low for all trials, but the AEC results showed that scallop stress was reduced when animals were transported by vivier truck compared with dry transport. AEC levels in scallops remained high after 24.75 h of vivier transport in trial 2 (0.54–0.69) and after 17 h of vivier transport in trial 3 (0.79–0.82), whereas after 12 h of dry transport in trial 1, AEC levels in the striated muscle had decreased to 0.42. Ammonia concentration increased throughout the trials but did not appear to affect scallop survival in the short term. In general, the results indicate that greater survival can be achieved over longer distances (greater than 17 h) and at higher densities by vivier truck. However, better stability of holding units within tanks and a method to regulate ammonia and pH levels are needed if greater densities are used.     

Reproduction of hatchery-reared and transplanted wild bay scallops, Argopecten irradians irradians, relative to natural populations

Efforts to restore bay scallop populations in the United States throughtransplantation of wild stock and reseeding of hatchery-reared individuals haveincreased due to declines in natural populations, yet little is known of thecomparative spawning patterns and relative reproductive investment of thesedifferent groups. In this study, spawning patterns of wild scallops from asource population in Northwest Harbor, New York and of scallops transplanted toa distant site in the same embayment (Flanders Bay) were similar.Hatchery-reared scallops held in pearl nets in Hallock Bay, New York showed thesame temporal spawning pattern and level of reproductive investment as scallopsfrom adjacent wild populations and wild scallops held in pearl nets. We suggestthat hatchery-reared scallops may be equally valuable as potential broodstockfor reseeding operations as wild scallops of the same size, provided thatappropriate conditioning and rearing practices are maintained. Both wild andhatchery-reared scallops may be transplanted a short period (i.e. 2–4weeks) prior to expected spawning to provide a source of potential broodstockinareas where natural population densities are low.     

Utility of high-density plantings in bay scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians, restoration

Two different methods of establishing high-density spawner sanctuaries for bay scallop (Argopecten irradians irradians) restoration were evaluated over 2 years at a site in Northwest Harbor, East Hampton, New York, USA. Hatchery-reared scallops, which had been overwintered at nearby sites, were free-planted directly to the bottom in late March/early April at an initial target density of 94?C128 scallops/m². In addition, scallops were stocked in off-bottom culture units consisting of three vertically stacked 15-mm mesh ADPI^® bags at densities of 50, 100, or 200 scallops/bag (=117, 234, or 468 scallops/m²), respectively. Survival of scallops differed significantly by year, planting method, and scallop source. Survival of free-planted scallops was generally lower than caged scallops. Better survival of free-planted scallops in 2005 versus 2006 likely reflected the presence of luxuriant eelgrass beds in 2005, which were absent in 2006. Survival of scallops in ADPI bags was not appreciably related to stocking density. Shell growth was highest for free-planted scallops; in cages, growth was somewhat better at 50 versus 200 scallops/bag. Wet weights of epibionts were significantly higher in caged versus free-planted scallops. Reproductive condition of scallops stocked at 50/bag was usually higher than at 200/bag. Both free-planting and off-bottom systems yielded high densities of adult bay scallops at the time of spawning, which ensures a higher probability of successful fertilization of spawned eggs and thus a greater potential for success of restoration efforts.     

Comparison of early life history stages of the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians: Effects of microalgal diets on growth and biochemical composition

The culture of bay scallops, Argopecten irradians, is limited by a reliable and affordable supply of spat and the ability to ensure that animals attain market size within a single growing season. The main goals of our study were thus: (1) to develop growth-optimizing algal diets for implementation in hatcheries, and (2) to identify and compare bay scallop postlarval and juvenile dietary requirements, especially of lipids and fatty acids, which if met may enhance production. Nutritional needs of postlarval bay scallops (present study) are compared with those of sea scallops, Placopecten magellanicus, offered the same diets in a previous companion study. To this end, postlarval (initial shell height, SH = 240 μm) and juvenile (initial SH = 10 mm) bay scallops were offered 6–7 microalgal diet combinations at 20 °C, for 3 weeks. A similar growth ranking among diets was observed between the two developmental stages. A combination diet of Pavlova sp. (CCMP 459) and Chaetoceros muelleri was far superior to any other diet tested, yielding growth rates of 58 and 357 μm day^− 1 which were 65% and 25% higher than the next highest performing diet of Tetraselmis striata/C. muelleri in postlarvae and juveniles, respectively. The T. striata/C. muelleri diet, which is limited in the n-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), yielded very poor growth of sea scallop postlarvae in a prior study, indicating that bay scallops may have less stringent requirements for DHA than sea scallops. The Pav 459/C. muelleri diet, which also supported the highest growth of sea scallop postlarvae, is characterized by elevated levels of the n-6 fatty acids, arachidonic (AA) in C. muelleri and 4,7,10,13,16-docosapentaenoic (DPA) in Pav 459. The two diets deficient in AA and n-6 DPA, Pavlova lutheri/Thalassiosira weissflogii and P. lutheri/Fragilaria familica, yielded the lowest growth rates in both bay scallop postlarvae and juveniles. Tissue enrichment of these two fatty acids relative to the diet, as well as overall enrichment in ∑n-6 fatty acids was observed across developmental stages and dietary treatments. A similar pattern has previously been observed in sea scallop postlarvae, suggesting a dietary requirement for n-6 fatty acids in pectinids that has often been overlooked in the past.     

饲料蛋白对翘嘴红鲌蛋白质周转代谢的影响

在养殖虾夷扇贝（Patinopecten yessoensis）的生产过程中需要多次将其按大小分级。传统方法采用筛子和分级机筛分，会使扇贝受到振动、碰撞。振动影响扇贝生长发育，碰撞使扇贝边缘受到损伤，贝壳碎裂外套膜裸露在壳外，造成病贝、死贝，且机械筛分分级精度低，人工筛分劳动强度大、效率低。本文研究一种新的方法，利用机器视觉检测扇贝大小。通过摄像头获取扇贝图像、计算机对输入的图像进行预处理、图像分割、膨胀腐蚀，提取扇贝的面积等特征值，建立扇贝的几何模型、数学模型，确定面积与壳长的关系，进一步识别扇贝的大小。试验表明，该方法检测速度快，正确率高，能够满足虾夷扇贝分级要求。摄像头与扇贝不接触，可以避免机械振动、碰撞对扇贝的损伤。     

Hydrodredge: Reducing the negative impacts of scallop dredging

Scallop dredges typically use teeth or a cutting bar to dig though the sediment and are associated with detrimental impacts on marine benthos. A low-impact ‘Hydrodredge’ was tested that uses ‘cups’ to deflect water downward in a turbulent wave sufficient to lift scallops from the seabed. Trials took place in the Isle of Man fishery for great scallop (Pecten maximus) with the hydrodredge and a gang of local ‘Newhaven’ dredges towed simultaneously either side of a commercial scallop dredge vessel. When fished over three different ground types (smooth, medium and hard) and two tow-speeds (2.5 kt, 4.0 kt), the proportion of dead scallops and bycatch in the Hydrodredge was significantly less than in the Newhaven dredges. This result highlighted the role of the teeth on the tooth-bar in exerting severe (fatal) damage to the catch and bycatch. Rates of non-fatal damage to scallops and bycatch did not differ between gears, suggesting that such damage occurs as a result of contact with other parts of the gears such as the chain bag. The hydrodredge was less efficient at catching great scallops compared with the Newhaven dredges (10–40%). For great scallops, the cups did not significantly increase catch relative to the hydrodredge fished without cups, which contrasts with results for other surface-dwelling scallop species, e.g., Placopecten magellanicus and Aequipecten opercularis. Importantly, the Hydrodredge was designed in the New England fishery for giant scallop (P. magellanicus), a species typically lighter and less embedded than P. maximus and thus potentially more vulnerable to the flow patterns of the Hydrodredge.     

栉孔扇贝急性病毒性坏死病毒（AVNV）卵内的垂直传播途径

急性病毒性坏死病毒已被证实为是一种对养殖栉孔扇贝危害极大的病原体,探讨其传播途径是防控扇贝“大规模死亡症”的前提之一。将亲贝各放在一独立育苗水体内产卵、孵化,并进行幼虫培育。通过春季和秋季室内人工育苗,从40个独立育苗水体中,采获亲贝、卵各23个家系样品,受精卵、D形幼虫、壳顶幼虫各12个家系样品,眼点幼虫2个家系样品。采用间接ELISA法、间接免疫荧光技术和电子显微镜技术对亲贝、卵和发育各期的幼虫进行定性和定位的检测。结果发现,栉孔扇贝的性腺组织中存在病毒粒子,而卵、受精卵及各期发育幼虫体内均未检测到病毒。由此可以判断：AVNV可以感染栉孔扇贝的性腺,但并不存在卵内垂直传播的可能性。     

栉孔扇贝三倍体率在不同生长阶段的变动趋势

使用流式细胞计和染色体制片法,对栉孔扇贝同一诱导群体的胚胎、Ｄ型初期幼虫和６～７ｍｍ稚贝的三倍体率进行了检测,结合制片法对非整倍体现象进行了观察。结果表明,胚胎阶段检测出的三倍体率较高,Ｄ型初期幼虫和稚贝阶段的三倍体率先无明显差异。胚胎阶段存在的非整倍体,在稚贝阶段未查出,尚不能确定存在的可能性。     

海湾扇贝对柴油的富集与消除规律

采用半静态动力学富集实验方法,分别以石油烃、多环芳烃及含硫芳烃、烷烃为指标,通过分析海湾扇贝(Argopecten irradians)对轻柴油(–10#柴油)、重柴油的富集与消除规律,探讨柴油污染对海湾扇贝食用安全性的影响。实验结果表明:海湾扇贝体内石油烃、多环芳烃及含硫芳烃、烷烃含量与富集时间及水中石油烃浓度呈正相关。海湾扇贝不同组织对柴油的富集能力不同,累积量由高到低依次是内脏外套膜及鳃等其他组织闭壳肌。海湾扇贝对柴油的富集量与柴油的种类有关,相同条件下海湾扇贝对重柴油的富集量更高且消除速率比轻柴油慢,说明重柴油溢油污染对贝类质量安全的危害更大,更值得关注。受污染的扇贝移入清洁的海水中,体内的石油烃可以逐渐消除,消除速度要慢于富集速度。海湾扇贝对烷烃的富集倍数比多环芳烃低,消除速率比多环芳烃要快。海湾扇贝体内石油烃的消除主要是烷烃的贡献。受污染的海湾扇贝体内多环芳烃以2~3环为主,其消除速率比高环数多环芳烃快。受污染的海湾扇贝移入清洁的海水中,短时间内虽然石油烃残留量能下降至正常水平,但多环芳烃(尤其是高环数多环芳烃)残留仍会存在。因此建议在发生石油污染后,跟踪监测不仅要关注海水中石油烃,更要关注贝类体内石油烃,要将多环芳烃与石油烃的检测结果综合考虑。此外,出于食品安全考虑,食用扇贝时尽量去除内脏。     

两个海区栉孔扇贝感染AVNV的比较分析

急性病毒性坏死病毒(acute viral necrosis virus,AVNV)是一种能导致栉孔扇贝大规模死亡的DNA病毒,研究通过检测不同养殖模式和不同苗种来源的栉孔扇贝样本携带AVNV的情况,以寻找合理的养殖模式和苗种,降低疾病的发生。以扇贝单一养殖的青岛流清河海区和贝藻间养的荣成桑沟湾海区为采样点,每月(2010年3月—2011年4月)定期采集2个海区野生苗养殖和人工苗养殖的栉孔扇贝样品各10只,共得到扇贝样本480只。取扇贝外套膜组织,提取DNA,采用巢式PCR检测扇贝感染AVNV的情况,并对2个海区2类栉孔扇贝AVNV感染率进行比较。结果显示,在2个海区的2类栉孔扇贝体内均检测到AVNV,流清河海区野生苗和人工苗养殖栉孔扇贝AVNV感染率分别为21.1%和18.9%,桑沟湾海区2类扇贝AVNV感染率分别为11.1%和5.6%;2个海区AVNV感染扇贝均集中在7、8月份,其中,流清河海区最高可达80%,桑沟湾海区最高仅40%。研究表明,贝藻间养和选用人工苗能有效减少AVNV对养殖扇贝的感染,是控制养殖扇贝发病死亡的有效措施。     

上海市售扇贝冻品品质评价模型构建及关键影响因素分析.

为分析上海销售端扇贝冻品的品质状况及存在的问题,探究市售扇贝冻品的品质评价方法以及冻藏过程中导致其品质劣变的关键因素,本研究依据冰柜温度、冻藏时间、产品形式、包装方式和摆放位置共5种常见影响因素,对上海市售的11种扇贝冻品商品进行采样,测定白度、解冻损失、蒸煮损失、持水力、回复性、内聚性、弹性、咀嚼性、硬度和感官评分共10项品质指标,利用因子分析构建扇贝冻品品质评价模型,并结合多元线性回归分析确定影响扇贝冻品品质劣变的关键因素。结果显示,扇贝冻品10项品质指标之间存在一定相关性,通过因子分析提取了3个因子成分,累计方差贡献率为73.33%,可以代替原有指标来综合评价扇贝冻品的品质,建立了市售扇贝冻品的品质评价模型：f=0.467f1+0.302f2+0.231f3,其中,f1公因子包括弹性、回复性、内聚性、蒸煮损失和持水力,f2公因子包括硬度、白度和咀嚼度,f3公因子包括解冻损失和感官评分;进一步由多元线性回归分析得出,冻藏时间、冰柜温度和产品形式是影响扇贝冻品品质的关键因素,其他2种因素无显著影响。研究表明,基于因子分析和多元线性回归的方法能够较好地进行扇贝冻品的品质评价并分析导致其品质劣变的影响因素。     

Differential responses to low salinity on gene expression,physiological and biochemical indexes between the golden and brown noble scallops Chlamys nobilis

Low salinity is one of important environmental factors which often led to mass mortality of the noble scallop Chlamys nobilis cultivated in the South coast of China. It is well known that enzymic system and non‐enzymic system both play crucial roles in all living organisms against severe environments. To investigate how change about enzymic system and non‐enzymic system in the stenohaline marine bivalve under low salinity stress, an acute challenge lasting 48 hr was conducted using golden and brown noble scallops in the present study. The serine proteinase inhibitor from the noble scallop (CnSPI) was first cloned and expressed in different tissues. After low salinity stress, the gene expression levels were determined in haemocytes and compared between golden and brown scallops. Meanwhile, total carotenoids content (TCC) in adductor, superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymatic activity and methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) content in gill and haemocytes were also determined and compared between the two colours scallops. Results showed that the CnSPI gene expression levels were significantly decreased after low salinity stress, and the golden scallops had higher gene expression levels than brown scallops (p < .05) at most times. Moreover, after low salinity stress, TCC, SOD enzymatic activity and MDA content also fluctuated, and the golden scallops contained higher TCC and SOD, but lower MDA than the brown ones. The present results indicated that enzymic system and non‐enzymic system were both changed under low salinity stress in the noble scallop and significantly different responses to the stress existed between golden and brown individuals. The SPI gene and carotenoids (CAR) both play a resistant role to low salinity stress in the noble scallop.     

Stress and mortality in the supply chain of live scallops Pecten maximus L., from scuba diver to market

Here, we report results from a project where the aim was to study stress and mortality in the supply chain from harvest to market for live scallops Pecten maximus L., hand‐picked by scuba divers. With experiments conducted both during the warm (September) and cold (April) seasons, emphasis was put on how mechanical influence, stacking height, post‐harvest water storage and dry transport affected scallop fitness. When scallops were exposed to mild‐ or hard mechanical shocks (dropped three times from 50 or 150 cm), it was found that hard mechanical shock caused up to 90% mortality during subsequent water storage. Results from the experiments where scallops were stored at different stacking heights (15, 30 and 50 cm) in water showed that both the duration of storage and the stacking height had a significant effect on mortality. Higher stacking heights also affected survival in subsequent transport. For long‐term storage (>7 days), it is recommended to limit the stacking height of scallops stored in tanks to reduce risk of mortality. Respiration experiments showed an average oxygen consumption of 0.10 and 0.24 mg O₂ min^?1 kg^?1 f.w. in the cold and warm season respectively. Water supply during storage of scallops should be adjusted to water temperature and biomass. Registration of mortality and analysis of the Adenylic Energy Charge of scallops followed through the production cycle from harvest to market indicate that it is the sum of stressors that are determinable for final survival.     

Strategies for enhancement of natural bay scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians, populations; A case study in the Niantic River estuary, Connecticut, USA

We investigated strategies to enhance populations of bay scallops,Argopecten irradians irradians (Lamarck, 1819), in a presumablyrecruitment-limited natural habitat. At present, the Niantic Riverestuary supports only a minor bay scallop population that is harvestedrecreationally. Three enhancement strategies were evaluated; (1)collection and redistribution of natural spatfall, (2) introduction andover-wintering of hatchery-reared stock into natural habitat to providenew spawning stock, and (3) over-wintering of hatchery-reared stock insuspension culture for creation of mobile spawner sanctuaries. Anassessment of natural bay scallop recruitment in the Niantic Riverconducted in 1997 indicated that few spat were found, they were widelydispersed within the river, and peak spawning occurred in late July1997. Direct re-seeding was evaluated as an enhancement measure byplanting hatchery-reared scallops ( 38 mm shell height) insmall-scale, 100-m² plots at different times and densities.Time of planting and the inferred predation intensity were major factorsaffecting survival; whereas, planting density had no significant effect.Approximately 9,000 scallops (35–45 mm shell height), broadcastwithin an eelgrass bed in November 1997, had high over-winter survivaland underwent gametogenesis and spawning during 1998. Of 26,000 bayscallops ( 45 mm shell height) over-wintered in suspensionculture from 1998–1999, approximately 60–80%survived, and these scallops spawned in mobile sanctuaries, during thesummer of 1999. There is good potential for using aquacultural methodsfor enhancement of bay scallop populations when natural recruitment ispoor and habitat and environmental conditions are not limiting.     

Loss of and damage to scallops due to storms in the Sea of Okhotsk

In the coastal zone of the Sea of Okhotsk off Hokkaido, Japan, the giant ezo scallop ( Patinopecten yessoensis ) is widely cultivated on the sea bed, making its fishery a major industry. However, the area experiences intense cyclones, including typhoons, about once a decade and the scallop resources appear to have received severe damage from the storms. Such an event occurred on 29 October 1988. The storm caused 12-m-high wind waves, which appeared to be fully developed sea waves. The water above the sea bed repeatedly moved back and forth at speeds of 1∼2 m s^-1 causing damage to the scallops due to collisions and rubbing with gravel and other scallops. From a comparison of wind data with the annual catch of scallops, intense cyclones seem to play an important role on the year-to-year fluctuations in the scallop fishery.     

Comparison of shell strength in wild and cultured scallops (Pecten maximus)

Shell strength development of the scallop Pecten maximus collected from wild stocks and from suspended cultures was described over the culture period when most of the growth takes place (20–110 mm shell height). Shell strength, shell height and shell thickness were determined in scallops of age groups 2–5 years. Wild and cultured scallops showed a strong divergence in shell strength development in scallops older than age group 3, which was not reflected in the concurrent development of shell height and thickness, indicating that factors other than shell height and shell thickness explain the differences in observed shell strength. In wild scallops, shell height, shell thickness and age accounted for about 65% of the variation in shell strength, while the same variables accounted for about 30% in cultured scallops. Wild scallops had stronger shells than the cultured scallops of the same size (53–68 mm shell height) grown at the same site, suggesting that factors related to suspended culture could explain the weak shells in cultured scallops. The results indicate that conditions related to suspended culture can have a negative impact on shell strength development in P. maximus. As the shell is the primary protection against decapod predation in scallops, a better understanding of what affects the shell strength is of importance for the development of release strategies in bottom culture of P. maximus.