Scallop Industry Meeting

Draft Outline - June 14, 2001

Development Of A Sustainable And Economically Viable 
Maine Scallop Industry

 Maine Scallop Industry Overview 

• Landings have declined over the past 5 years; presently are about half of what they have been in the past; 592 tons in 1990- 300 tons in 2000
• Represents 2.5% of the United States scallop industry except in December, when it represents 25% of the US scallop industry.
• Ranked as 4^th most important fishery in the state in 1990 - ranked as 9^th most important fishery in the state in 2000
• The average size of Maine scallop meats has decreased
• Value of 2000 scallop harvest: 3.9 m; value of 1990 scallop harvest: 6 m.
• Number of licenses granted has increased in both drag an dive fisheries:
  • Drag licenses 1994- 703; 2000- 888
  • Dive licenses 1994- 336; 2000- 390
  • Recreational licenses 1994- 1073; 2000- 527

Current Regulations

• Open entry for dive and drag fisheries
• Season from December 1- April 15
• 3 ½” minimum ring size
• Maximum- 10 ½’ (single) dredge, with some regional regulations of smaller drags.
• Non-Commercial licenses only are limited to no more than 2 bushels of unshucked or 4 quarts of unshucked scallops per day
• Minimum 3” shell size

Why are we here?

• Concerns have been raised among members of the industry as to the sustainability of the scallop resource.  Some questions and issues raised in the past have included:

• Scallop population traditionally exhibits boom and bust cycles, which are reflected in landings.  Landings increased in the 1980s, but have been in steady decline since 1990 and are approaching an all time low.
• Is a restricted entry situation needed to protect traditional draggers and divers?
• Should there be determination between full vs. part time fishermen?
• How can a sustainable fishery be created?
• What considerations need to be made about the industries future?

Various ideas have been discussed about how sustainability could be achieved. These include but are not limited to: 

1. Entry controls

• History of Participation

• Economic dependence on resource

• Document Performance Standards

• Residency

• Inter- family transfer

• Ability to buy/ sell license

• Apprenticeship Program

• Lottery

• Owner/Operator proviso

2. Trip Limits

• Days at Sea (Individual or Fleet)
• Seasons

3. Gear/ Vessel Modifications

• Vessel Size

• Engine Horsepower

• Dredge Configurations

4. Area closures

• Research
• Protection of essential area (spawning or recruitment areas)
• Closure due to over fishing in an area
• Restrictions on gear allowed in an area
• Closure to a certain type of harvester
• Restrictions on size of vessel allowed in area
• Rotational Closures

5. Landing Restrictions

• Trip Limits

• Quotas

• Geographic Area
• Temporal
• Fleet Trip
• Individual
• Individual Transferable

• Size Limits

• Meat Count
• Shell Size

1. Maximum

2. Minimum

3. Slot

6. Enhancement 

7. Aquaculture 

8. Regional/ Community Management 

9. Federal Management           

10. Habitat

I.   Where do we go from here?  What is Your Vision of the Future?