ASA Fights Sea Scallop Short Weighing Fraud

The American Scallop Association recently announced that it’s stepping up efforts to fight fraud in the sea scallop industry. The association is pledging to accurately label all scallop products including fresh and frozen as well as domestic and foreign. The plan will establish a system to self-police its 18 members.

Sea scallops are among several products with a history of seafood short-weighing. In past investigations, Weights and Measures Inspectors with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection found that consumers were being charged for glazing and ice in packaged scallops, resulting in massive overcharges.

What Are Sea Scallops?

Sea scallops are bivalve mollusks. Various members of the scallop family are found worldwide. Scallop shells are symmetrical, attractive and highly collected by sea shell enthusiasts.

Atlantic sea scallops are harvested in the Northwest Atlantic from Cape Hatteras to Newfoundland and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They live on the ocean bottom, generally at depths from 30 to 100 meters (about 100 to 300 feet) and can live up to 20 years.

Sea scallops are popular seafood items. Prized by cooks and diners, they are considered by many to be the most appealing of the shellfish. The premium products among scallops are the largest specimens, which have a delicate flavor and tender texture. Scallops are best when fresh, but may also be frozen.

The edible portion is the adductor muscle of scallops. The muscle is larger and more developed than most shellfish because they are active swimmers. Atlantic sea scallops are the largest scallops sold in the U.S., averaging 10/40 count per pound.