1. “BOOM OR BUST”: RESTORING BAY SCALLOP POPULATIONS THROUGH THE RELEASE OF COMPETENT LARVAE. ARE CONTAINMENT BOOMS NECESSARY? Jay R. Leverone Stephen P. Geiger, William S. Arnold, and Jaime Greenawalt

2. Bay Scallop Larval Release Restoration Projects in Florida since 2003 ( Larval Release Locations)

4. North Pine Island Sound South Pine Island Sound

5. History of Bay Scallops in Pine Island Sound Bay scallops were commercially harvested in Lee County until 1963 Two major construction projects occurred during the 1960’s Recreational fishery persisted until 1990 FWRI continues to monitor bay scallop populations in northern Pine Island Sound First restoration occurred in 2003 Second restoration in 2005-06

7. Pine Island Sound Project Rationale North Pine Island Sound is less impacted than South Pine Island Sound Bay scallops are still found in North PIS, although in very low numbers Suitable habitat is available in both locations Larval release strategy offers a more cost- effective and less labor intense approach than previously attempted restoration efforts

8. Methods Spawn scallops in hatchery and raise larvae under optimal conditions Release pediveligers into containment booms” or free-release Monitor settlement, juvenile and adult population densities at release site

9. = North Pine Island Sound stations (1995 – present) = South Pine Island Sound stations (2004 – present)

10. ANNUAL BAY SCALLOP ABUNDANCE, PINE ISLAND SOUND, FL. TOTAL NUMBER OF SCALLOPS. (FWRI).

11. Demere Key Powerlines FWS Refuge Pineland Pine Island Sound Larval Release Sites (2003 – 2005)

23. 2003 Scallop Distribution Total = 28; Density = 1.4

24. 2004 Scallop Distribution Total = 21; Density = 1.05 Restoration Site Total = 63; Density = 160

25. 2005 Scallop Distribution Total = 1,868; Density = 93.4

26. 2006 Scallop Distribution Total = 163; Density = 8.15

27. 2005 Scallop Distribution Total = 48; Density = 2.4

28. Demere Key Powerlines FWS Refuge Pineland Pine Island Sound Larval Release Sites (2005)

29. NUMBER OF POSTLARVAE (=SPAT) PER COLLECTOR (FALL, 2005) Demere KeyPower LinesPinelandFWS Refuge ReplicateOutsideInsideOutsideInsideOutsideInsideOutsideInside 11361601023 202211803123 3180410334 41360221643 5---4524902721 6---53--- Mean0.833.30.827.20.215.42.62.8

30. 2006 Free-Release Sites Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4

31. Settlement of Postlarvae on Collectors: Free-Release (2006)

32. ANNUAL BAY SCALLOP ABUNDANCE, PINE ISLAND SOUND, FL. TOTAL NUMBER OF SCALLOPS. (FWRI, 2005).

33. Conclusions Bay scallop abundance and dispersion in PIS has increased since restoration began in 2003 Releasing pediveliger larvae is a viable strategy for restoring bay scallop populations “Booms” are helpful for assessing recruitment Knowledge of local circulation should obviate the need for booms

34. CHALLENGES AHEAD Development of an appropriate marker (e.g., genetic tag) to provide a definitive link (“smoking gun”) between broodstock, released larvae, recruits and adult scallop populations Understanding and (hopefully) mitigating red tide effects on all bay scallop life stages; refine restoration techniques accordingly

35. FUNDING Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program Ocean Trust Foundation South Florida Water Management District Mote Scientific Foundation