There is considerable impetus and interest in the revival of scallop fisheries and the development of scallop aquaculture in Australia at this time.

The Bass Strait, Victorian and Tasmanian (Pecten) scallop fisheries, which were one of Australia’s most profitable in the 1960s and 1970s, declined markedly in the 80s and all but collapsed in the 1990s. The stock or stocks are showing signs of slow recovery. The saucer scallop (Amusium) fisheries in Queensland and Western Australia have generally been more stable, although recruitment in some areas of Western Australia has shown intermittent but marked spikes ins some years. The Queensland fishery has suffered what is hopefully a short-term decline, probably as a consequence of changes in management arrangements rather than declining population abundance. At the same time, many international fisheries are depressed or collapsing. New forms of assessment based upon spatial data and models are evolving and demonstrating alternative management strategies for such fisheries. This is a global phenomenon best seen in U.S. population modelling for scallops.

Three substantial sea ranching and culture ventures have developed in WA, Queensland and Victoria since 2000. All are linked to or have used FRDC project 2000/190, ‘Feasibility of scallop enhancement and culture in Australian waters’ and other FRDC projects. Scallop aquaculture is growing rapidly in Asia and is generating interest and investment across the globe. Associated culture technology is also increasing.

This is an opportune time for Australian fisheries managers, industry participants, scientists and aquaculturists to learn and share information about scallop fisheries, assessment and aquaculture. Such an opportunity exists via an international scallop workshop that will cover aspects of scallop biology, ecology, fisheries, aquaculture and economics. The 15th International Pectinid Workshop, to be held in Moloolaba in April 2005, will be an informal, interactive and highly informative forum. These Workshops attract a wide range of nationalities and expertise and are unique in the breadth of experience available to participants.