Island Scallops Ltd

Based on the east coast of Vancouver Island, the company has pioneered sustainable scallop aquaculture in BC and developed the premium "Pacific scallop", which it markets as the “Qualicum scallop”. Check out Island Scallops’ retail store at the hatchery site near Qualicum Beach to try the exceptional Qualicum scallop and other local seafood products. Established in 1989, the company is involved in the hatchery production, nursery rearing, ocean farming, processing, and marketing of marine species. Many of these are new to aquaculture in BC; in addition to development of the unique Pacific scallop, the company has developed novel hatchery technology for several species including geoducks, sablefish (black cod), and wolf-eels. The Pacific scallop, a hybrid of the local weathervane and imported Japanese scallops, is produced only in BC. Reaching 15 cm (about 6”) in length and 500g (over 1 lb) in weight, it is one of the largest scallop species in the world. It is also one of the tastiest, and has been featured at various seafood events as well as on a recent episode of Executive Chef Lynn Crawford’s “Pitchin’ In” on Canada’s Food Network. Island Scallops produces Pacific scallop “seed” at its hatchery in Qualicum Beach and cultures the scallops at several sites along the coast of Vancouver Island. The farms are located in deep water, so only a few floats at the surface hint at the subsurface lines from which are suspended net cages housing the cultured scallops. Scallops need clean water to grow and feed only on the naturally-occurring phytoplankton, so scallop farming is an environmentally sustainable industry. And the submerged farms create fish habitat and home for a myriad of marine organisms. Cultured Qualicum scallops are endorsed by the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise conservation program as an ocean friendly seafood choice.