The Great Scallop, also known as the King Scallop (Pecten Maximus), is one of the largest and most iconic bivalve mollusks found in the waters of the Northeast Atlantic, ranging from Norway to the Mediterranean. Characterised by its distinctively fan-shaped shell, the Great Scallop features a ribber, reddish-brown or cream-coloured exterior, with a smoother, often whitish interior. These scallops are capable of reaching up to 20 cm in diameter and are well-known for their culinary and ecological importance.

A unique feature of the Great Scallop is its mobility. Unlike many other bivalves, which remain stationary, scallops can ‘swim’ short distances by clapping their shells together, propelling themselves away from predators. Along the shell’s edge, tiny blue eyes help the scallop detect movement and changes in light, alerting it to potential threats.

Great Scallops inhabit sandy or gravelly seabeds, typically at depths between 10 and 100 meters. They feed by filtering plankton from the water. Due to their popularity in cuisine, they are also harvested commercially, with a focus on sustainable practices to protect wild populations.