Saving Seafood

US Atlantic scallop prices high as rotational closures reduce supply, boost production costs

June 24, 2021 — The Atlantic sea scallop fishery – predominantly centered around ports in New Bedford, Massachusetts; Point Judith, Rhode Island; Cape May, New Jersey; and Norfolk, Virginia – is the largest and most valuable wild scallop fishery in the world. Projected landings in the federal fishery are expected to be around 40 million pounds in 2021.

“The allocation was developed using survey data from 2020, and then projecting growth, harvest, natural mortality and recruitment,” Jonathon Peros, fishery analyst and scallop lead at New England Fishery Management Council, said.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

NEFMC Approves 2022-2023 Scallop RSA Priorities; Initiates Framework 34; Responds to Letter on Leasing Petition

June 24, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

During its June 2021 webinar meeting, the New England Fishery Management Council adopted 2022-2023 research priorities to help steer the development of the next round of projects to be funded through the Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program. Resource surveys were identified by the Council as the highest priority, as has been the case for several years running.

This year, the Council expanded the range of potential projects under its high priority category by:

  • Broadening the scope of research that can be proposed under the scallop biology priority; and
  • Expanding the turtle priority to cover gear research and ecological studies, which were identified as Reasonable and Prudent Measures in the new Biological Opinion for the scallop fishery

The Council also identified three categories of important general research projects, which are noted in the table below. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS/NOAA Fisheries) is expected to publish the Notice of Funding Opportunity for 2022-2023 awards this summer. NOAA Fisheries administers the RSA award competition and oversees selected projects, as well as set-aside harvest activities. The awards are based on the Council’s identified RSA priorities.

Read the full release here

Fishing Year 2021 Management Measures for the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery

May 18, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries announces final management measures for the Atlantic Sea Scallop fishery for the 2021 fishing year (April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022). The landings for fishing year 2021 are projected to be lower than 2020.

Framework 33:

  • Sets management measures for the scallop fishery for the 2021 fishing year, including the annual catch limits for the limited access and limited access general category (LAGC) fleets, as well as days-at-sea allocations and sea scallop access area trip allocations.
  • Implements specifications that would result in a reduction in projected landings compared to fishing year 2020 (40.0 million pounds for fishing year 2021 compared to 51.6 million pounds for fishing year 2020). This is due primarily to a decrease in harvestable biomass and a lack of significant recruitment in recent years.
  • Maintains the existing seasonal closure in Closed Area II (August 15 – November 30) to reduce bycatch of Georges Bank yellowtail flounder and northern windowpane flounder.
  • Closes the Closed Area II-East Closed Area to fishing to protect small scallops and reduce bycatch of flatfish.

Read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register, and the permit holder bulletins (Limited Access and LAGC) posted on our website.

Questions?

Fishermen: Contact Travis Ford, Sustainable Fisheries, 978-281-9233

Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, 978-281-9103

NOAA Implements Default Management Measures for Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishing on April 1

March 26, 2021 — Starting on April 1, 2021, NOAA Fisheries announced it will implement default management measures for the scallop fishery until it can implement final specifications in Framework Adjustment 33 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan.

NOAA said the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) voted on final 2021 allocations in Framework Adjustment 33 on January 27. If approved, scallop allocations will be adjusted according to Framework 33.

Read the full story at Seafood News

Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishing Year 2021 Default Management Measures Begin April 1

March 24, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Effective April 1

Beginning April 1, 2021, we are implementing default management measures for the scallop fishery until we can implement final specifications in Framework Adjustment 33 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (if approved).

The New England Fishery Management Council voted on final 2021 allocations in Framework Adjustment 33 on January 27, 2021, and, if we approve the action, we will adjust scallop allocations according to Framework 33. We have noted these Framework 33 allocations and the default measures in our recent bulletin so you can consider these adjustments when planning your fishing activity between April 1 and the implementation of Framework 33.

Questions?

Industry: Contact Travis Ford, Sustainable Fisheries, 978-281-9233

Media: Contact Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, 978-281-9175

NMFS selects 13 Northeast scallop research projects worth $12.5 million

March 16, 2021 — Sea scallop surveys, bycatch reduction and sea turtle interactions are on a list for the 2021-22 Northeast research set-aside program for scallop science.

Set up by the New England Fishery Management Council in 1999, the cooperative science effort between researchers and fishermen was one  outcome of the scallop fishery crisis when abundance declined in the mid-1990s. Two decades later, scallops are the richest East Coast fishery, with a system of rotating area management and close collaboration between NMFS, academic researchers and the industry.

The set-aside program is a wish list of research needs from the council and carves out a small part of the fishery’s landings – valued around $570 million in 2019 – allocating it to boats carrying out the projects. For the 2021-2022 program that will be about $12.5 million in scallops brought to the docks, with $3 million from those paying for the science work and $9.5 million for the fishermen, according to a summary from NMFS.

“The RSA program improves our scientific understanding of sea scallops and monkfish, which directly contributes to their sustainable management,” Jon Hare, director of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, said in a statement outlining the plan.

Read the full story at National Fisherman

Scallop Research Set-Aside Program Supports 13 Projects for 2021-2022; Focus on Surveys, Bycatch Reduction, Turtles

March 15, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program will support 13 new projects under the 2021- 2022 award cycle. The awards are expected to generate approximately $12.5 million, including $3 million to fund the research and $9.5 million to compensate industry partners who harvest the set-aside scallops. The selected projects address scallop research priorities identified by the New England Fishery Management Council during its June 2020 meeting. The projects focus on resource surveys, bycatch reduction, seed scallop habitat, loggerhead turtles, and data collection by fishermen.

The awards were announced on March 15, 2021 by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, which both are part of NOAA Fisheries. The Council and NOAA Fisheries work together to support the research set-aside program. The Council sets priorities, and NOAA Fisheries manages the RSA competition and administers the program.

RSA-funded scallop surveys have become increasingly important in:

  • Providing information that directly helps scientists determine the status and distribution of the resource; and
  • Guiding the Council in management decision-making.

Read the full release here

ANALYSIS: Net Supply of Scallops Retreating Since 2018

March 1, 2021 — With a combined approach of effort limitation and rotating harvest areas, the Atlantic sea scallop is one of the most valuable fisheries in the United States and is the most valuable wild scallop fishery in the world. It is managed by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council under the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fisheries Management Plan, which maximizes scallop yields while protecting beds of young scallops.

Looking at the total net supply of scallops for 2020, considering domestic landings combined with imports, while deducting exports, the United States reports seeing fewer landings, slightly increased imports, and a decline in exports when compared to the previous year, resulting in a decline of our net supply by 15.6 percent or 12.6 million pounds less of product.  Our net supply calculation suggests an annual total of 67.7 million pounds in 2020 compared to 80.3 million in 2019. This retreat marks the lowest net supply on record since 2015 and the start of a downwards trend that began in 2018.

Read the full story at Seafood News

NEFMC Seeks Contractor to Support Scallop Survey Working Group

February 9, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is looking for an independent contractor to support and document the work of the Council’s new Scallop Survey Working Group (SSWG).  Letters of interest and supporting materials must be received no later than 8:00 a.m. on March 1, 2021.

WHAT IS THE SSWG:  The Council currently is in the process of forming the Scallop Survey Working Group.  The group will be composed of government and non-government experts with experience in Atlantic sea scallop surveys and related fields.  These experts will be tasked with addressing terms of reference (TORs) set for the group and providing recommendations in response to the TORs.  The SSWG will report directly to the Council, and the group’s recommendations will be forwarded by the Council to the Northeast Fisheries Science Center.

WHY IS THE COUNCIL DOING THIS:  The Atlantic sea scallop fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in the United States.  A central component of scallop management has been reliance on scallop surveys.  Previous survey reviews and stock assessments included recommendations for improving scallop surveys.  The Council agreed to form the Scallop Survey Working Group to address issues related to those recommendations.

WHAT ARE THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES:  The selected contractor will work with a representative of the Council and the Scallop Survey Working Group co-chairs on an array of issues from on or about March 22, 2021 through July 1, 2022.  A few of the contractor’s responsibilities include:

  • Supporting the development of draft TORs in advance of the working group’s first meeting;
  • Supporting working group meetings by developing detailed agendas, providing experienced meeting facilitators, and preparing written meeting summaries;
  • Creating a work plan to guide and assist the group in addressing the TORs; and
  • Preparing a final written report summarizing the working group’s recommendations.

MORE INFORMATION:  Complete details about the contractor’s full range of responsibilities, desired experience, and application submission instructions can be found in the request for proposals.

QUESTIONS:  Contact New England Council Executive Director Tom Nies at tnies@nefmc.org.

Maine scallop fishermen have same harvest limits in ’20-’21

November 10, 2020 — Maine’s scallop fishermen will be able to harvest the same amount of scallops under the rules for the coming season.

Fishermen in Maine harvest scallops by diving or by boat every winter. This year, they will be allowed to possess up to 15 gallons per day along most of Maine’s coast and up to 10 gallons per day in the Cobscook Bay area, the Maine Department of Marine Resources said.

The fishing season runs from late November to April. Fishermen harvested more than 400,000 pounds of Maine scallops in 2019. That was the lowest number since 2012.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at the San Francisco Chronicle