L.I. Harvests May Signal a Comeback for Scallops
Quarter 1
Article 7
NY Times
Miller Chapter
The area covered is local.
Since 1985, multiple surges in toxic marine algea known as brown tide have decimated Peconic Bay's scallop production, resulting in years of devastating economic harvests. But, last year the baymen realized that scallops are making a comeback. The yield tripled from 2007 to 2008 and this year it is projected to stay the same or increase. Many efforts have been made to restore the scallop population. Part of their strategy is to increase the rate of spawning and fertilization. They have also released hundreds of thousands of baby scallops in the bay since 2005. In the late 1990s, nitrogen levels dropped and brown tide faded away, but scientists are not sure why nitrogen levels decreased. Fisherman are happy to enjoy a brown tide free scallop season.
I think it's great that the scallop populatrion is making a come back. Doing these articles, the majority of knowledge that I have accumulated on the environment has been that it is getting worse. It is reassuring to know that atleast a small aspect of the environment is improving.
Vocabulary-
brown tide: part of growing world-wide incidences of harmful
algal blooms (HAB) which are caused by a proliferation of singlecelled
marine plants called phytoplankton
algal blooms (HAB) which are caused by a proliferation of singlecelled
marine plants called phytoplankton
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