February 3, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council is looking for qualified candidates to serve on its new Scallop Survey Working Group (SSWG). The application deadline is Monday, February 22, 2021 at 8:00 a.m.
The Council manages the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. It relies on scallop surveys to detect and monitor recruitment events and track resource trends to support its rotational area management program.
Previous stock assessments and survey reviews identified issues that could help improve both the federal scallop survey and surveys supported through the Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program. As part of its 2021 scallop priorities, the Council agreed to establish a working group to develop recommendations to address these issues. The Scallop Survey Working Group will first provide input on clear terms of reference (TORs) before the TORs are approved by the Council’s executive director in consultation with the director of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (Science Center).