Beautiful Washington Bivalves
Boutiful jewels of the intertidal zone!
Clams, Oysters, Mussels, Scallops… OH My!
Bivalves are animals with two hinged shells — called valves — and are part of the mollusk family. You probably already know some of their most famous members: clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops. Bivalves live in both fresh and salt water, and many are filter feeders, pulling water over their gills to capture tiny bits of food (and oxygen!) as it passes through.
They’re also some of the most beloved seafood on the planet. Oysters, scallops, mussels, and clams show up on menus everywhere — and for good reason. According to NOAA, in 2011 alone, U.S. bivalve harvests topped 153 million pounds, with a value of more than $1 billion!
But these tasty shellfish are sensitive to what’s happening in our oceans. Climate change and ocean acidification can make it harder for bivalves to build their calcium carbonate shells, putting their populations — and our seafood plates — at risk.
And next time you enjoy them, here’s a fun fact: you’re eating the animal itself, or a part of it. With scallops, you’re eating the adductor muscle — the strong, round muscle they use to open and close their shells.
