Research offers new insights into Atlantic sea scallop reproduction
A recently published study led by Kaitlyn Kowaleski '19 found that Atlantic sea scallops produce fewer viable eggs than previously estimated, offering new insights for fisheries management and marine conservation.
Kowaleski's paper, "Fecundity, oocyte atresia, and gametogenic staging accuracy of Atlantic sea scallops at varying population densities," was published in the journal Aquatic Biology.
Atlantic sea scallops support one of the most valuable fisheries on the US East Coast, and their reproductive success plays an important role in sustaining healthy populations. Kowaleski's work provides a more detailed picture of how scallops reproduce and how population density influences reproductive output.
The research found that many developing scallop eggs are reabsorbed before spawning, resulting in lower estimates of potential output than previous studies suggested. The findings improve scientists' understanding of reproduction in Atlantic sea scallops and may help inform fisheries management strategies that rely on protected areas to support future populations.
Kaitlyn Kowaleski works at the intersection between marine invertebrates and the communities that depend on them. Her work combines interdisciplinary research, stakeholder facilitation, and education and outreach to support sustainable shellfish fisheries and aquaculture.
As a postdoctoral scholar with Washington Sea Grant, Kowaleski helps bring together scientists, resource users, managers, and community members to address complex natural resource challenges through the Willapa-Grays Harbor Estuary Collaborative. Her work includes facilitating collaborative processes, documenting community perspectives through oral history, and helping evaluate management strategies for the coastal estuaries.
Kowaleski holds a PhD in marine science from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and a BA in human ecology from College of the Atlantic. Her research has spanned both the ecological and social dimensions of natural resource use, from documenting local ecological knowledge and community perspectives among marine worm harvesters in Maine to examining how density-dependent reproductive processes influence population dynamics and fisheries management in the Atlantic sea scallop fishery.
Education and outreach are central to Kowaleski’s work. She has extensive experience developing and leading marine science programs for K–12 students, undergraduate students, and public audiences, and she is passionate about making marine science accessible, engaging, and relevant to diverse communities.