The use of a volumetric measure for determining sea scallop meat count

Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to evaluate whether a volumetric measuring device could reliably provide accurate sea scallop meat count estimates at sea. A one-pound coffee can was selected as the standard volumetric sampling measure. Calibration experiments revealed that coffee-can volumes conform to manufacturing standards although slight differences in total volume exist among some brands. These differences, however, have a negligible effect on scallop meat-count measurements. Average meat-weight capacity of a coffee can filled with fresh-shucked meats is relatively constant and unaffected by the size mixture of meats within the can. Meat counts determined volumetrically appear to be highly reliable and as precise as counts obtained using weight-based procedures. Differences between at-sea and dockside counts reflect changes in meat condition that occur during handling and storage. A standardized volumetric sampling methodology is proposed along with guidelines for enabling at-sea determination of meat count relative to the current management standard. Assurance that the average meat count in a trip will conform to the management standard is highest when an effort is made to pack each and every bag as closely as possible to the management standard. 1989 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) NEFSC (Northeast Fisheries Science Center) Library Public Domain 1861