Beach strandings of Tehuelche scallop, Aequipecten tehuelchus, in Patagonia: Multi-scale processes and management implications

SORIA, GASPAR; GETINO MAMET, LEANDRO NICOLÁS; FRUMENTO, OSCAR; PISONI, JUAN P.; PARMA, ANA M.

MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Año: 2022 vol. 176

0141-1136

The magnitude and causal mechanisms of a massive beach stranding of Tehuelche scallops that occurred in November 2017 in San José Gulf, Argentina, were investigated with the long term goal of improving the assessment and management of the scallop fishery. The biomass of scallops washed ashore and deposited over a 10-km stretch of coast was estimated by quadrat sampling and compared with the results of a scallop stock assessment survey conducted three months prior to the stranding event. The resulting estimate of total biomass loss was in the order of 200 t, representing 10% of the estimated total scallop biomass in the San José gulf. The stranding coincided with persistent strong southerly winds (13 m/s) blowing for 24 h in San José Gulf, and large-scale windstorms that affected the southern tip of South America. Surface waves predicted under such windstorm conditions could generate strong bottom orbital velocities at shallow waters (