Saving Seafood

President Trump Declares ‘National Scallops Day’ as NOAA Prioritizes Opening Northern Edge and Permit Stacking

July 2, 2026— President Donald Trump declared “National Scallops Day,” tying the designation to a NOAA Fisheries announcement that the agency has prioritized expanding access for the Atlantic sea scallop fleet on the Northern Edge of Georges Bank and advancing a long-sought permit-stacking policy.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the action would “open up the Northern Edge of Georges Bank to Scallops Fishing,” predicting “millions more pounds” of wild scallops for American consumers and more jobs in East Coast fishing ports, including New Bedford, Massachusetts; Cape May, New Jersey; and Norfolk, Virginia. This comes as part of a broader Trump Administration effort to expand domestic seafood production and reverse restrictions imposed by prior administrations.  

The President’s statement came the same day NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Eugenio Piñeiro Soler released a region-by-region list of regulatory priorities under Executive Order 14276, “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.” In the New England section of that announcement, NOAA listed two major scallop actions: “Implement rotational access for the Northern Edge scallop fishery” and “Implement Scallop Permit Stacking.” Administrator Piñeiro Soler described them as “regulatory actions we have prioritized.” 

The April 2025 executive order directed the Commerce Department and NOAA Fisheries to work with regional fishery management councils to reduce regulatory burdens, increase domestic seafood production, improve access, stabilize markets, and enhance profitability for U.S. fishing businesses. NOAA said Thursday it received input from 787 individuals and organizations before prioritizing the actions announced by Piñeiro Soler.  

“The Fisheries Survival Fund, which has represented Atlantic scallop fishermen since 1998, has been working throughout the Executive Order process to reopen the Northern Edge. We very much appreciate President Trump’s and NOAA’s directive to NMFS and the Council to reopen this historically vital fishing ground after 35 years,” stated Eric Hansen, chairman of the Fund’s board.  “We will work hard to help make a productive, responsible opening become a reality. To the fleet, please be aware the area is not currently open, but we are thankful the process has begun.”

The Sustainable Scalloping Fund, a scallop industry group active in Washington and New Bedford, praised the announcement, saying the opening of the Northern Edge and the move toward permit stacking were two reforms it had sought since its inception.

“Permit stacking will let scallop permit holders consolidate operations, cut costs, and fish more safely and efficiently,” the group said in a statement. “Opening the Northern Edge returns the fleet to a productive, well-managed resource that has stayed closed for years.”

SSF President John Lees said the decision reflected direct engagement between fishermen and the White House. The group said Lees had carried the issues to senior White House officials and advocated for them directly with the president.

“We are grateful to President Trump and his team for listening to the men and women of the scallop fleet and acting on their behalf,” Lees said. “Permit stacking and Northern Edge access will make our fishery more competitive, more sustainable, and more valuable to the American families who depend on it. This is what it looks like when Washington puts American fishermen first.”

The Northern Edge of Georges Bank has been the subject of a long-running debate within New England fisheries management. The New England Fishery Management Council previously considered a framework action that would have revised habitat management restrictions and created rotational scallop access areas in the region. Council materials described the Northern Edge as roughly including the Closed Area II Habitat Management Area and the adjacent Northern Flank of Georges Bank, and said the habitat restrictions there were intended to minimize fishing impacts on essential fish habitat for multiple species, including scallops, groundfish, herring, monkfish and skates.  

Council materials also reflected concerns that opening the area could affect long-term scallop yield because dense scallop aggregations on the Northern Edge may serve as a larval source for other scallop grounds, including the Southern Flank of Georges Bank, the Great South Channel and Nantucket Lightship.  

NOAA’s announcement did not provide a detailed schedule for implementation, catch projections, or final management measures for the Northern Edge or permit stacking. Piñeiro Soler said some priorities may implicate other statutory requirements and that NOAA Fisheries would work with the councils to determine how to advance them.  

Industry Petition to Reopen Northern Edge Scallop Access Named as Top-Tier Deregulation Priority

May 14, 2025 — The following was released by the Fisheries Survival Fund:

A petition submitted by the Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF) to restore scallop fishing access to the Northern Edge of Georges Bank has been formally recognized by the federal government as a national deregulatory priority. In comments submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy included the FSF petition among just 21 proposals selected from more than 75,000 nationwide for special consideration. It was the only fisheries-related regulation identified and one of just two pertaining to the Department of Commerce.

This federal-level recognition may provide critical momentum for the New England Fishery Management Council to reopen consideration of access to the Northern Edge, a historically significant area with continued importance to the nation’s scallop fleet.

FSF advanced its April 28 petition through two regulatory channels.

First, it was submitted directly to the Secretary of Commerce under standard federal rulemaking procedures, requesting that the New England Fishery Management Council be directed to revisit current restrictions in the Closed Area II Habitat Management Area—commonly known as the Northern Edge. This followed the same legal pathway FSF used in 1998 to launch a successful effort expanding scallop access elsewhere on Georges Bank.

Second, FSF responded to OMB’s government-wide Request for Information (RFI) on deregulation, issued April 11, 2025[1]. This RFI was initiated in direct response to Executive Order 14219, signed by President Donald J. Trump on February 19, 2025, which mandated a comprehensive government-wide review of existing regulations to identify those that are unlawful, exceed statutory authority, or impose unnecessary burdens. The RFI invited the public to propose specific regulations for repeal or reform as part of this broader deregulatory effort.

FSF acknowledges that this opportunity was made possible by Executive Order 14219 and expresses its appreciation to President Trump for his leadership in creating a structured and responsive mechanism for regulatory reform.

By authorizing agencies to seek public input and reconsider outdated rules, the administration made it possible for affected industries such as scallop fishing to engage meaningfully in the federal decision-making process.

In its formal filing, the SBA’s Office of Advocacy highlighted the current regulation[2], which bars scallop fishing in the Northern Edge area. Advocacy noted that it had been contacted by a coalition of 156 small businesses in the scallop industry, which cited the adverse economic impacts of the closure. While the closure was originally intended to protect groundfish populations, Advocacy called on the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to reexamine whether those conservation goals can be met without unnecessarily restricting scallop access.

SBA’s recommendation is notable because nearly all of the other deregulatory proposals included in its comments were national in scope. Northern Edge access was the only fisheries regulation named, and one of just two regulations from the entire Department of Commerce to receive this distinction. This singling out by the SBA is expected to further distinguish the FSF petition among the tens of thousands filed during the OMB’s open comment period.

The Office of Advocacy is uniquely empowered under the Regulatory Flexibility Act to represent small business concerns in the federal rulemaking process. Its endorsement of the FSF petition underscores both the economic significance of scallop access and the need for a more tailored, evidence-based approach to habitat protections that balances environmental objectives with sustainable harvesting.

Council advances plan to cut Northeast US scallop quota 28 percent

December 6, 2024 — The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) voted to enact Framework 39 for the 2025 scallop fishing season – which includes a significant drop in the scallop allowable catch.

The Fisheries Survival Fund – which was established to advocate for the long-term sustainability of the Northeast U.S. scallop stock – supported the council’s decision and advocated for it to select Framework 39 before the council meeting. The organization said the allocations “reflect the need for pragmatic balancing” of fishing effort in the region to ensure the continued success of the fishery.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell also wrote to the council in support of Framework 39. New Bedford, Massachusetts is consistently ranked among one of the top ports by value in the U.S. – in part thanks to the high value of the scallop fishery.

“The scallop industry is a cornerstone of New Bedford’s economy, supporting not only fishermen and their families, but also the numerous shoreside businesses that rely on its success,” Mitchell wrote.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Fisheries Survival Fund Urges Northern Edge Scallop Access at Upcoming New England Fishery Management Council Meeting

June 26, 2024 — The following was released by the Fisheries Survival Fund:

Recent Advisory Panel and Joint Scallop and Habitat Committee meetings have underscored the need to align the access season with periods of high scallop meat yields while ensuring the safety of our fishermen.

The upcoming Council meeting in Freeport, Maine on Thursday, June 27, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport, will be pivotal for the future of Northern Edge scallop access. Key decisions could be made that will impact scallop yields and crew safety.

Opponents of Northern Edge access may propose motions to terminate or severely restrict the Northern Edge scallop access area management initiative. The Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF) would oppose any such motions and advocates for maintaining a viable Northern Edge access area program.

The Northern Edge is roughly defined as the area encompassed within the Closed Area II Habitat Management Area (HMA) and the adjacent portion of the Northern Flank of Georges Bank. Photo and caption credit: New England Fishery Management Council.

Scallop issues are on the agenda starting at 9:00 a.m. Thursday morning. 

  • Motion to Reject Seasonal Closure Option A
    • FSF strongly opposes the anticipated motion to reject the seasonal closure option A (July 15 through October 15) and replace it with a new closure option from April 1 through October 31. This motion would substitute a 9-month open season, which aligns with periods of high scallop meat yields and favorable weather, for a less optimal season from November 1 through March 31. This proposal directly contradicts the Scallop Advisory Panel’s recommendation for spring/summer access from April 1 to August 31.
       
    • Reasons for FSF’s Opposition:
      • Optimal scallop yields and reduced habitat impacts are achieved when access matches periods of highest meat yield, as proposed in Closure Option A.
      • Ensuring scallop access during spring and summer months enhances safety, which the new proposed closure option fails to do.
      • A sufficient access period is essential for the entire fleet to operate safely.
      • The proposed access plan already adequately protects juvenile cod, egg-bearing lobsters, and avoids disrupting spawning seasons for cod and herring. 
         
  • Motion to Abandon the Northern Edge Access Program
    • FSF opposes any motion to abandon the Northern Edge access program.
       
    • Reasons for FSF’s Opposition:
      • The current alternatives are conservative, having already excluded sensitive bottom areas and considered mitigation.
      • The access area program already provides protection for juvenile cod, cod spawning, herring spawning, and egg-bearing lobsters, alongside existing lobster fishing activities.
      • The scallop fishery must retain access to this crucial resource, particularly given the declining productivity of southern areas.
      • Minimal overlap exists between proposed access areas and spawning grounds for cod and herring.
      • Harvesting in the access area program will not interfere with scallop spawning on Georges Bank.
      • Extensive efforts have been made to develop this measure, with effective solutions from the Scallop and Habitat PDTs.
      • The benefits of access are substantial, as demonstrated by the original Georges Bank access program in 2001.

About the Fisheries Survival Fund
Established in 1998, the Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF) is dedicated to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. FSF represents the majority of full-time Atlantic scallop fishermen from Maine to North Carolina. FSF collaborates with academic institutions and independent scientific experts to support cooperative research and sustain this fully rebuilt fishery. Additionally, FSF works with the federal government to ensure responsible management of the fishery.

For more information, please contact:
John Quinn
jquinnfish@gmail.com
https://atlanticscallops.org

Shucked Atlantic Sea Scallop Meats are Safe to Eat

January 11, 2024 — The following was released by the Fisheries Survival Fund and the American Scallop Association:

It is important to avoid confusion, and for the public to understand, that the scallops referenced in a recent advisory from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are not the type of scallops typically available in markets and restaurants across North America, and that the adductor muscle of the Atlantic Scallop (placopecten magellanicus), commonly referred to as the “scallop meat,” is not a threat.

The FDA is advising consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell or dispose of, certain whole, live scallops received from an unlicensed harvester. These scallops are believed to have been harvested from prohibited state waters in Massachusetts and were incorrectly labeled. They were distributed to restaurants and food retailers in Illinois (IL), Massachusetts (MA), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), and Pennsylvania (PA).

Scallops are rarely sold live or whole in North America, and they are most often harvested offshore in federal waters, not in state waters. In the United States and Canada, consumers generally purchase just the adductor muscle, which is the white, meaty part seen in market displays and seafood dishes. This part of the scallop is prized for its delicate texture and sweet flavor.

Scallops are typically ‘shucked’ (opened and cleaned) at sea immediately after they are harvested. The scallop is removed from its shell, and the adductor muscle is separated from the rest of the body. Since this process is done at sea, what lands at the dock as ‘scallops’ are the shucked muscles.

The FDA advisory stated, “It is not uncommon for shellfish to be consumed raw and whole.” While this is true for some shellfish such as oysters and clams, it is not true for scallops. It is very uncommon for U.S. Atlantic sea scallops to be consumed raw and whole. In North American cuisine, scallops are typically consumed as just the adductor muscle, not the whole scallop including the roe (or coral).

The Atlantic sea scallop is one of the more sustainable seafood choices available, and much of the fishery has been certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The U.S. Atlantic sea scallop fishery is subject to strict regulations and management practices implemented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These include measures such as limiting the total allowable catch, rotating fishing areas to allow for recovery, and using gear that minimizes environmental impact. Regular stock assessments are conducted to monitor the health and size of the scallop population.

Consumers may continue to buy and enjoy with confidence the shucked, white, meaty, and sustainable scallops familiar to them in grocery cases and on restaurant menus.

About the Fisheries Survival Fund
The Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF) was established in 1998 to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. FSF participants include the vast majority of full-time Atlantic scallop fishermen from Maine to North Carolina. FSF works with academic institutions and independent scientific experts to foster cooperative research and to help sustain this fully rebuilt fishery. FSF also works with the federal government to ensure that the fishery is responsibly managed.

About the American Scallop Association
The ASA was founded in 1992 to foster a better public understanding of the importance of the scallop industry and to represent and promote the interests of the domestic, U.S. wild-caught, Atlantic sea scallop industry. Our aim is to support ASA members and all other affiliated interests to ensure a viable and long term future for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery through effective dialogue, consultation, collaboration and partnerships.

Port of New Bedford Applauds Appointment of Eric Hansen to New England Fishery Management Council

June 28, 2022 — The following was released yesterday by the Port of New Bedford:

The Port of New Bedford applauds today’s appointment of Eric Hansen, a New Bedford scalloper and president of the Fisheries Survival Fund, to a seat on the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC). Hansen’s appointment will help ensure the concerns of New Bedford’s vital fishing community are represented at the Council level. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, chairman of the New Bedford Port Authority, recommended Hansen for the seat in a February letter to Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.

The Port thanks Gov. Baker, who nominated Hansen to the Council, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who made the appointment. The Port also thanks NOAA Assistant Administrator Janet Coit and NOAA Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator Michael Pentony.

For the past 21 years, New Bedford has been the most valuable fishing port in the country, with $451 million worth of seafood landed in 2020. In addition to species like surf clams and ocean quahog, a major share of the Port’s success is due to the value of New England’s scallop fishery, one of the most valuable fisheries in the country.

Prior to Hansen’s appointment, there was no representative from New Bedford on the NEFMC. Having a voice on the Council who understands the needs of our fishermen and our fishing community is critical to preserving the economic and cultural future of the Port.

“As the most valuable commercial fishing port in the nation, New Bedford deserves a seat at the table where management decisions are made, and we appreciate Secretary Raimondo’s recognition of that fact,” Mayor Mitchell said. “Eric’s extensive knowledge and experience, and his solid reputation in the industry, will enable him to serve with distinction.”

Hansen brings years of fisheries management experience to his new role on the NEFMC. He has previously served on the Council’s Scallop and Monkfish Advisory panels. In his role as president of the Fisheries Survival Fund, he has effectively advocated for the scallop fishery as it has become one of the most sustainable and effectively managed species in the country.

BOEM looks at fishermen compensation — but not everyone wants it

February 24, 2022 — Recent detailed proposals from the Fisheries Survival Fund and Responsible Offshore Development Alliance – coalitions of the commercial fishing industry – and the American Clean Power Association representing the offshore wind industry, presented the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management priority lists for their industries’ coexistence.

Some of those recommendations distinguish between ‘mitigation’ – avoiding conflicts between wind development and fishing – and ‘compensation’ – paying to make up for fishermen being displaced from longtime fishing grounds.

Fishing advocates say BOEM should be following a “mitigation hierarchy” under the National Environmental Policy Act to “avoid, minimize, mitigate and compensate” for impacts of offshore wind development.

BOEM officials and wind energy advocates say that’s being done. As examples they point to modifications to the South Fork Wind project east of Montauk, N.Y., to preserve critical bottom habitat, and shifts in the New York Bight wind energy lease areas to reduce conflicts with the scallop fleet.

Read the full story at WorkBoat

New Bedford says wind boundary changes just a start

January 18, 2022 — The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management made minor boundary adjustments in its New York Bight wind lease areas to reduce conflicts with the scallop fleet. That’s just a small start toward reducing the impact of wind development on the nation’s seafood industry, New Bedford port officials say.

The 480,000-acre wind lease offering – the first of the Biden administration and biggest to date – has brought on a wave of proposals, from both the fishing and wind power industries, for how they could co-exist.

Six lease areas outlined by BOEM in a final offering notice Jan. 12 include a westward shift of 2.5 miles to the Hudson South wind energy area, and a reduction of the so-called Central Bight area. The modest adjustment responds to requests last year from the scallop industry and the East Coast’s highest-earning fishing port – now also a base for offshore wind developers.

It could be a baby step toward better avoidance of conflicts between the Biden administration’s aggressive push to open more ocean spaces to wind energy development, and urgent warnings from the fishing industry and some ocean environmental advocates that regulators need to build more foresight and safeguards into the permitting process.

Those tweaks in the New York Bight auction plan came as a surprise, said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell.

“We didn’t know that had happened until we actually dug into it,” said Mitchell, who wrote to BOEM during 2021 in support of the Fisheries Survival Fund recommendation to move the southwest boundary of Hudson South by five miles, aimed at giving a buffer zone between turbine arrays and scallop grounds.

The Fisheries Survival Fund and Responsible Offshore Development Alliance – both well-established coalitions of fishing interests – presented highly detailed recommendations to BOEM for dealing with those issues. The American Clean Power Association, an influential group in the renewable energy sector, likewise came out with its own proposals.

Read the full story at National Fisherman

Atlantic Sea Scallop Group Pushes BOEM to Create Plan for Fisheries and Wind to Prosper

January 14, 2022 — The Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF), a group that represents the majority of Atlantic sea scallop fishermen called on federal regulators to create an “adaptive and proactive mitigation plan” that will allow both fisheries and the offshore wind industry to thrive.

The FSF’s public comments follow the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)’s announcement that it will conduct a wind lease auction for 480,000 acres of ocean in the New York Bight area of the Atlantic.

“It is unquestionable that the proliferation of new turbine arrays will have detrimental impacts on the scallop fishery and other fisheries,” FSF wrote. “Windfarms will and demonstrably do change ocean ecosystems. The goal of mitigation should be to strike a balance that ensures mutual prosperity, not merely an uneasy, zero-sum co-existence.”

Read the full story at Seafood News

BOEM to offer six New York Bight wind leases in Feb. 23 auction

January 13, 2022 — The Biden administration announced plans Wednesday to auction more than 480,000 acres in the New York Bight for six new offshore wind energy leases, the administration’s first wind sale and the largest lease area ever offered, with a potential build-out capacity up to 7 gigawatts.

In a joint announcement with governors of New York and New Jersey, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said the “administration has made tackling the climate crisis a centerpiece of our agenda, and offshore wind opportunities like the New York Bight present a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fight climate change and create good-paying, union jobs in the United States. We are at an inflection point for domestic offshore wind energy development. We must seize this moment – and we must do it together.”

Commercial fishing advocates stressed that BOEM needs to make a priority of avoiding and mitigating negative impacts their industry and the nation’s seafood supply.

The waters between New York and New Jersey are some of the most productive on the East Coast and account for much of the sea scallop harvest, valued at $746 million in 2019, according to the Fisheries Survival Fund.

In comments submitted to the agency, the group called on BOEM “to create an ‘adaptive and proactive mitigation plan’ that will allow both fisheries and offshore wind to prosper.”

“It is unquestionable that the proliferation of new turbine arrays will have detrimental impacts on the scallop fishery and other fisheries,” according to a statement from the Fisheries Survival Fund. “Windfarms will and demonstrably do change ocean ecosystems. The goal of mitigation should be to strike a balance that ensures mutual prosperity, not merely an uneasy, zero-sum co-existence.”

Read the full story at National Fisherman