I meant another continent, like Asia - China. Trust me when I say that MANY of the souvenir scallop shells available at Santiago, the ones with the stenciled red Santiago cross on them, are sourced in the PRC. They are shipped in bulk to Spain, where the red cross stencil is applied. I get around, I watch stuff, I have seen boxes of inventory in the back of shops all over... just sayin...
The genus and species of the original scallop critter is the same as those original to France or Spain, or substantially close enough that no one can tell the difference without a university degree in shellfish... It really does not make any difference, at least IMHO. I have had both types. They look the same.
On the other hand, I have eaten the coquilles St. Jacques available at many restaurants in SJPdP. I have also seen the piles of leftover large scallop shells. Finally, some years back, I also asked at the SJPdP Pilgrim Office about their sourcing, and was told they get them from area restaurants.
So, it is what it is. I do know that the SJPdP office can run short or completely out of these locally sourced shells. In fact, when I was there this past August, there were more pilgrims than available shells. Until more came from local restaurants, pilgrims were compelled to buy them in area shops...the commercially sourced variety. I was actually there when they ran out. I made sure that a pilgrim I had just met got the last shell.
Just as an FYI, the local pilgrim society drills the two holes and puts lengths of plain cord (similar to a shoelace) through them. The commercial type usually comes with a red cord.
Hope this helps.