Fishermen, local government officials and conservationists tried to save Long Island’s dwindling scallop population by moving them to deeper waters last week. But the plan was called off.
A mass die-off this season killed more than 90% of the scallop population in Long Island bays.
Researchers and baymen say the usual suspects aren’t present, but it could be related to higher than usual water temperatures, potentially caused by climate change.
New York State partnered with baymen and conservationists to save the younger scallops by moving them to deeper waters so they could spawn next year.
The plan was called off though because there weren’t enough mollusks to move. Some populations, however, are expected to survive the winter.
