BY GUEST BLOGGER: Ben Eisinger

If you’ve ever paddled through the calm waters of Penobscot Bay, Maine, you know the experience is a symphony of sights and sounds. Between the calls of seabirds and the gentle rhythm of water against your kayak, the bay offers both tranquility and the occasional surprise.

One of the most fascinating — and often overlooked — surprises lies just beneath the surface: scallops.

What Are Scallops?

Scallops are unique marine animals belonging to the class Bivalvia within the phylum Mollusca. Unlike oysters and mussels, which anchor themselves to rocks or the seafloor, scallops are free-swimming, making them one of the most mobile shellfish in the ocean.

When threatened, scallops don’t simply clamp shut. Instead, they rapidly open and close their shells, propelling themselves through the water in a surprising burst of speed. This ability helps them escape predators and adds to their reputation as one of the more dynamic creatures in Maine’s coastal waters.

A Closer Look: Scallop Anatomy and Behavior

In their natural state, scallops have a remarkable appearance:

• A row of small black dots lining their shells—these are actually eyes
• A soft, pale body with a firm central muscle (the part we typically eat)
• Internal organs visible in shades of grey, cream, or yellow

Though they may seem passive, scallops can display surprisingly aggressive behavior, sometimes clapping their shells to fend off nearby rivals.

Scallop Farming in Maine: A Growing Aquaculture Industry

Off the shores of Deer Isle, Maine, PenBay Farmed Scallops is helping to shape the future of sustainable seafood in Penobscot Bay.

Run by Marsden and Bobby Brewer, this innovative farm is part of Maine’s rapidly expanding aquaculture industry, which has seen steady growth over the past decade. Their operation focuses on raising Atlantic sea scallops in a way that supports both environmental health and local economies.

How Scallop Farming Works

Scallop farming in Penobscot Bay uses a system designed for both sustainability and scallop health:

• Long lines are anchored in the water
• Lantern nets are suspended at intervals
• Scallops grow in open, well-spaced conditions

This method reduces stress and aggression while allowing scallops to develop naturally. Atlantic sea scallops typically take about three years to reach reproductive age and can continue growing for up to five years, producing large, high-quality shellfish.

Kayaking Tours and Scallop Farm Visits

In the summer of 2025, Osprey’s Echo Sea Kayaking partnered with PenBay Scallops to offer a truly unique coastal experience.

Select kayak tours gave participants the chance to:

• Visit a working scallop farm
• Learn about Maine aquaculture firsthand
• Harvest fresh scallops to take home

It’s a rare opportunity to connect directly with the people and practices that sustain Maine’s coastal food systems. You can check out our scallop farm tours on our events page!

Experience Penobscot Bay from a New Perspective

Next time you’re planning a kayaking trip along the Maine coast, consider choosing an experience that includes a stop at a scallop farm. It’s a chance to see beneath the surface—both literally and figuratively—of Penobscot Bay’s rich marine ecosystem. We offer both scallop pick-ups and an immersive educational tour experience. Contact us today for a unique and specialized aquaculture tour: kayak@ospreysecho.com

From the surprising agility of scallops to the dedication of local aquaculture farmers, there’s far more happening in these waters than meets the eye. 

Ben Eisinger is part of the waterfront staff at Osprey’s Echo Sea Kayaking.