November 28, 2013 — While sample testing may provide some clues as to why there is a sharp decline in scallops in Port au Port Bay, a steering committee has been formed to keep an eye on the situation.
During a fishery meeting held Wednesday night at West Bay Community Centre, much concern was expressed about the rapid decline of scallop and rock crab stocks in the bay. About 40 people were in attendance.
Fish harvesters are especially interested in finding out what is causing the scallops to die and whether anything can be done to help them rebound.
Gus Hynes, a fish harvester out of Port au Port Bay, said he had done some sampling that very afternoon and the numbers from three tows gathered 188 scallops. Of those, only 16 were live scallops and the other 172 were dead, or what’s known as “clappers.”
During an open session at the beginning of the meeting, Roger Duffy said he was told some years back that there was a bacterial infection in these animals from wastewater being dumped into the bay.
But Duffy doesn’t buy that theory, saying there is less population now and less hazardous chemicals today from soaps and detergents used in homes.
Bill O’Gorman, a diver who harvests scallops, said he has heard that fecal matter doesn’t affect scallops.
Read the full story at The Western Star