In the world of fine dining and sustainable seafood, diver scallops are increasingly recognized as a true treasure. Unlike their dredged counterparts, these delectable morsels are hand-harvested by skilled divers, ensuring minimal environmental impact and a superior culinary experience. This meticulous process results in scallops that are not only fresh and flavorful but also contribute to the health of our oceans.

Diver Scallops Vs Sea Scallops
Page Contents
Diver scallops, also known as sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus), are a type of bivalve mollusk that thrive in the cold, clear waters of the North Atlantic. They are characterized by their large, fan-shaped shells, often with hues of brown, red, and purple. What we savor is the sweet, succulent adductor muscle — the part that allows the scallop to open and close its shell. These scallops live on the seabed, anywhere from 10 to 100 feet deep, where they filter feed on plankton and other organic matter. Learn more about how to buy scallops online.
What truly distinguishes diver scallops is their harvesting method. Instead of using dredges that can damage the ocean floor and capture unwanted marine life, skilled divers hand-select each scallop, ensuring they meet size and maturity requirements. This selective harvesting:
- Minimizes bycatch: Divers avoid collecting undersized scallops or other marine species, protecting the delicate ocean ecosystem.
- Reduces habitat damage: Hand-harvesting eliminates the destructive impact of dredging on the seabed, preserving vital habitats for other marine life, such as eelgrass beds.
- Ensures superior quality: Divers can choose the best scallops, resulting in a product that is consistently fresh, plump, and flavorful.
- Reduces the carbon footprint: Diver scallops have a lower carbon footprint compared to those harvested by dredging.
Diver Scallop Price
Diver scallops are a premium seafood product and are generally more expensive than dredged scallops due to the labor-intensive harvesting method. Prices can vary between different seafood vendors, both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. Prices can range from $60 to $120 per pound. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Here are some clues to look for:
- Size: Diver scallops are typically graded by size, with “U10” being the largest (under 10 scallops per pound) and most expensive.
- Source: Scallops from different regions may command different prices due to factors like flavor, availability, and harvesting regulations.
- Look for certifications: Some organizations certify sustainable seafood practices, and scallops from these fisheries are more likely to be truly diver-harvested. For example, look for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) blue fish label.
- Freshness: Fresh, never-frozen scallops will be more expensive than frozen ones.
- Sustainability: Scallops harvested using sustainable diving practices may have a higher price tag.
Important Note: Even with these clues, it can be difficult to guarantee authenticity. Some vendors may mislabel scallops, and even experienced fishmongers can be fooled.
How are Diver Scallops Caught?
Divers, often working from small, owner-operated day boats, simply jump into the water and swim down to the ocean floor. One by one, they hand-pick the largest, most mature scallops, leaving smaller ones to grow. The divers carry a mesh scallop bag, and once it’s full, they signal the boat to lift the bag and send down an empty one.
Diver Scallop Size: What Does “U-10” Mean?
The term “Diver Scallops” often refers to a U-10-sized scallop, meaning “under 10 scallops per pound,” which indicates a larger size. However, this doesn’t guarantee the scallops were actually hand-harvested. Unfortunately, the term “diver scallop” is sometimes misused in restaurants and by online seafood companies. There’s no way of knowing!
Day Boat Scallops: Freshness Guaranteed
Real diver dayboat scallops represent 0.3% of scallops, where the vast majority often sit for weeks at sea and are treated with chemicals.
“Day boat scallops” refers to scallops caught by vessels that return to shore within 24 hours, ensuring optimal freshness. Day boat scallopers typically use smaller boats and harvest closer to shore. This practice further minimizes the time between the ocean and the plate.
Maine Dayboat Scallops: A Unique Flavor
Maine is known for its exceptional seafood, and diver scallops are no exception. In addition to the Bay of Fundy or Georges Bank, diver scallops are also active off Maine’s rocky coast. Maine is the only state with a significant in-shore fishery. The cold, clean waters of the Gulf of Maine produce scallops with a distinct sweetness and delicate texture.
The state’s strict regulations, including a limited scallop season and daily catch limits, help ensure the long-term sustainability of this valuable resource. The state of Maine limits their scallop season to just 55-70 days between December 1 and April 15. Restricting when and where fishermen can harvest helps ensure the resource will thrive in the future. Then, on April 1, the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Fishery opens, offering another brief taste of fresh Maine Dayboat Scallops. Each boat can take 200 pounds per day, and when they cumulatively reach a certain target (this year, it’s just under 400,000 pounds), the season closes.
Massachusetts dayboats can take 600 to 800 pounds per day, compared to Maine’s 90 to 200 pounds. But that’s still a far cry from the tens of thousands of pounds of older, waterlogged scallops that come in from trip boats.
What are Dry Scallops?

Dry-packed scallops are free of additives and have no added water, which allows them to sear beautifully and caramelize, showcasing their natural, sweet flavor—often called “sea candy.” These scallops are typically flash-frozen at sea within minutes of harvest to lock in freshness. These versatile shellfish taste best pan-seared, creating a caramelized exterior and tender interior. This makes them a popular choice for seafood pasta dishes and elegant appetizers. Buy 100% dry scallops direct from Lobsteranywhere.com.
Cooking with Diver Scallops
Diver scallops are renowned for their versatility in the kitchen. Their delicate, sweet flavor and firm, meaty texture lend themselves to a variety of culinary creations. Whether seared to a golden brown, incorporated into a creamy pasta dish, or enjoyed raw as ceviche, diver scallops are a true culinary delight.
There are many ways to prepare these delicate sea morsels. The most popular way is to coat them end-to-end with your favorite spice blend and then sear them in a hot pan. They cook quickly, so ensure you don’t overcook them, or they will dry out, lose their juices, and crack the spice coating.
Because scallops are high in moisture content, it is easier to coat them with cornstarch in the spice mixture. You can prepare them skewered with shrimp, with Cajun seared with wasabi cream, or in a pesto sauce with linguini. Scallops are an excellent source of protein and have fewer calories than poultry.

Fresh from the sea, our succulent sea scallops, wrapped in bacon, are sweet and juicy on the inside, with crispy, honey-smoked cured bacon on the outside. These appetizers are a crowd-pleaser and a must for your next party! See our suggestions for the best way to cook sea scallops.
Cooking Tips:
- Don’t overcook: Scallops cook quickly. Aim for a golden brown sear on the outside and a tender, slightly translucent interior.
- Pat them dry: Before cooking, pat the scallops dry to ensure proper searing.
- High heat: Use a hot pan to achieve a beautiful caramelization.
- Get creative: Experiment with different flavors and cuisines. Scallops pair well with citrus, herbs, garlic, and spices.
For more cooking tips, see our guide for how to cook scallops.
Diver Scallops: A Sustainable Choice for the Future
Choosing diver scallops is a vote for ocean health and responsible fishing practices. By supporting sustainable seafood choices, consumers play a crucial role in protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring the long-term health of our oceans. The environmental benefits of diver scallops include a reduction in bycatch (unintended catch of other species), the preservation of eelgrass beds and other habitats, and a lower carbon footprint compared to dredging. So next time you’re craving seafood, consider indulging in diver scallops – a delicious and environmentally conscious choice. Find out how the Maine Lobster fishery is one of the most sustainable fisheries in the world.
Better Sea Scallops at Lobsteranywhere
At Lobsteranywhere, you get 100% pure scallops rather than the waterlogged stuff you’ll find at the grocery store. The vast majority of sea scallops available to the public are treated by being soaked in a chemical to increase shelf-life and/or retain water to increase the product weight. These are NOT. Never processed with any additives and preservatives; you will see a difference when cooking and eating them.
Our sweet and succulent scallops sear to golden perfection every time—perfect as an appetizer or passed hors d’oeuvre.
Can’t get enough information on sea scallops? Be sure to read our article about amazing scallop facts.
References:
- Seafood Watch: www.seafoodwatch.org (Provides sustainable seafood recommendations)
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program: Guide to Scallops (Information on scallop sustainability and fishing methods)
- NOAA Fisheries: www.fisheries.noaa.gov (Information on fisheries management and sustainable seafood)