Recent reports in the press prompt a clear statement from the New England Fishery Management Council about its recent activities concerning sea scallops. The rationale behind the Council ‘s Framework 21 vote is provided in the statement.
"In short, the fishing activities of the fleet exceeded the expected landings set forth in the Scallop Plan for 2008 and 2009, a circumstance that led to increased harvests that were at or above the scallop overfishing level. Landings in 2009 are calculated to increase over 20 percent above levels projected, and revenues for the fleet will increase by around $65 million beyond what was originally estimated. The 2010 catch will be reduced in the framework, but the action is expected to result in 5 million additional pounds of scallops over several years and should increase annual fishery revenues by about $10 million from 2011-2016."
Read the response, deliberations and rationale from the New England Fisheries Management Council.