The fishery operating in the exclusive economic zone of the United States of America offshore from Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina will be assessed against the MSC standard and, if successful, its products will be eligible to bear the MSC ecolabel recognising products from well-managed and sustainable sources.

According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, 2008 scallop landings were 24,280 metric tonnes (53.5 million lbs.) making the U.S. Atlantic sea scallop fishery the world’s largest scallop fishery by market value. The commercial fishery is conducted year round, primarily using New Bedford style scallop dredges. The scallops are shucked on board and their main markets are the U.S. and member states of the European Union.

Read the complete story at Fish News EU.