Background

• Main Author: Maritimes Region
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1998
• Subjects: Tac; Northwest Atlantic
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.522.5810; http://www2.mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/rap/internet/SSR_1998_C3_22_E.pdf

The sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus occurs only in the northwest Atlantic Ocean from Virginia north to Labrador. Within this area, scallops are concentrated in persistent, geographically discrete aggregates or "beds", many of which support valuable commercial fisheries. The larger beds are found offshore and in the Bay of Fundy along the Nova Scotian coast. Scallops in different beds, and in different areas of large beds, show different growth rates and meat yields. Unlike many commercial scallop species, the sea scallop has separate sexes. Male scallops develop a white gonad in the summer months, while female gonads are bright red. Eggs and sperm are released into the water and fertilization takes place in the sea. Spawning begins in late August to early September, and the larvae drift in the water for almost a month before settling to the bottom in October. The Digby beds have supported consistent fishing at least since the 1920s and are thought to be self sustaining. Until recently, most of the scallop harvest in the Bay of Fundy came from these beds. Ninety-nine Full Bay license holders are licensed to fish in Scallop Production Area 4. These vessels are between 45' and 65 ' long, and tow 7 to 9 drags off the starboard side. This industry became a quota fishery in 1997, with limited entry, TAC, gear size, seasonal closures, minimum shell height and meat count restrictions.