SEAFOOD.COM NEWS by John Sackton – February 14, 2014 — US domestic scallop landings were expected to bottom out in 2014, and then begin to increase in 2015. In January, the best industry estimates were that 2014 would see a reduction of about 4 million to 5 million pounds from 2013 levels, or a drop from around 42 million pounds to 38 million pounds. This expectation was based on the range of management initiatives before the New England Fisheries Management Council, which has just finished their January scallop meetings.
However, NOAA has informed the industry that a new management framework (Amendment 25) will become effective in June, 2014.
The new framework will result in less of a reduction in landings. There will be a reduction in days at sea (from 33 to 31), and a reduction in the pounds allowed per trip in the two trips to the closed areas.
As best we can estimate, it appears that the reduction in days at sea will result in 2 million pounds less scallops. Each vessel will be allowed two days less at an average of around 3000 to 3500 lbs of scallops per day. With 313 active vessels, this is around a 2 million pound reduction.
For the closed areas, the number of trips remains the same in 2014 vs. 2013, with 1000 pounds less per trip. This is a reduction of 626,00 lbs.
So the upshot is that total reductions from these measures are likely to be around 2.7 million pounds, meaning landings in 2014 may be at the 39 million pound level – somewhat higher than industry estimates last month.
The diversion of effort to the open areas will result in a smaller mix of scallops, with more 20-30's expected this year than last, and a further reduction in U-10's and 10-20's.
This story originally appeared on Seafood.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.