September 28, 2022 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council received its first overview of 2022 scallop survey results when it met in Gloucester for its late September hybrid meeting. It also received the final report from the Scallop Survey Working Group (SSWG).
The most recent round of scallop surveys will help the Council develop 2023 fishing year specifications, which will be part of Framework Adjustment 36 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. The framework also will contain default specifications for 2024.
The Council was fortunate to have extensive scallop survey coverage in 2022 through the Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s survey on the R/V Hugh R. Sharp
The surveys found several areas with new sets of seed scallops, as well as beds with concentrations of smaller scallops that are continuing to grow. These are positive signs that bode well for the future.
However, the surveys also revealed that biomass overall was at its lowest observed level since 1999, largely due to minimal recruitment over the past several years. As a result, access area trip allocations for 2023 are expected to be reduced from 2022 levels.