Beach strandings of Tehuelche scallop, Aequipecten tehuelchus, in Patagonia: Multi-scale processes and management implications

• Published in: Marine environmental research 2022-04, Vol.176, p.105604-105604, Article 105604
• Main Authors: Soria, Gaspar, Getino Mamet, Leandro Nicolás, Frumento, Oscar, Pisoni, Juan P., Parma, Ana M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AEQUIPECTEN TEHUELCHUS; Animals; Argentina; Beaches; Biomass; COASTAL ZONE; Depth; Fisheries; Fisheries management; Fishery resources; HYDRODYNAMICS; Local winds; Marine molluscs; METEOROLOGY; Pectinidae; POPULATION DYNAMICS; SAN JOSE GULF; Scallop fisheries; SCALLOPS; Seafood; Shallow water; Size distribution; South America; SOUTHWEST ATLANTIC; Stock assessment; STOKES DRIFT; Stranding; Surface waves; Surveying; Total allowable catch; Wind data; Winds; WINDSTORMS
• ISSN: 0141-1136; 1879-0291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105604

The magnitude and causal mechanisms of a massive beach stranding of Tehuelche scallops that occurred in November 2017 in San José Gulf, Argentina, were investigated with the long-term goal of improving the assessment and management of the scallop fishery. The biomass of scallops washed ashore and deposited over a 10-km stretch of coast was estimated by quadrat sampling and compared with the results of a scallop stock assessment survey conducted three months prior to the stranding event. The resulting estimate of total biomass loss was in the order of 200 t, representing 10% of the estimated total scallop biomass in the San José gulf. The stranding coincided with persistent strong southerly winds (13 m/s) blowing for 24 h in San José Gulf, and large-scale windstorms that affected the southern tip of South America. Surface waves predicted under such windstorm conditions could generate strong bottom orbital velocities at shallow waters (