Document Type
Report
Department/Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
VIMS Department/Program
Marine Advisory Program (MAP)
Publication Date
2022
Series
Marine Resource Report No. 2022-1
Abstract
For the sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus, current and accurate information related to the abundance and distribution of adult and juvenile scallops is essential for effective management of the resource. Scallop management is a combination of input and output controls, with a focus on spatial area management. The continued prosperity of the scallop resource and fishery is dependent on both periodic and large incoming year classes, as well as a mechanism to delineate the scale of a recruitment event and subsequently monitor the growth and abundance of these scallops over time.
Acknowledging the importance of accurate, timely, and meaningful information necessary to meet the management objectives and support the fishery, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) conducted a synoptic high resolution stratified random survey of the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB) scallop resource from the VA/NC border to Block Island, RI encompassing the Mid-Atlantic Access Area (MAAA), as well as the open areas of the MAB resource area during the spring/summer of 2019 and 2020. The primary objective of these surveys was to assess the abundance and distribution of sea scallops in this area, culminating with spatially explicit annual estimates of total and exploitable biomass by Scallop Area Management Simulator (SAMS) Area. Secondary project objectives for each survey year included: 1. Finfish bycatch species composition and catch rates, 2. Scallop biological sampling (length:weight relationship, disease, product quality parameters, and shell samples for ageing), and 3. Sea scallop dredge performance (commercial and survey dredges).
DOI
https://doi.org/10.25773/e2ar-7x16
Keywords
Scallops, Fisheries, Management
Publication Statement
Submitted to: National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Fisheries Science Center
Funding
Award Number: NA19NMF4540013
Recommended Citation
Roman, S., & Rudders, D. (2022) A Cooperative High Precision Dredge Survey to Assess the Mid-Atlantic Sea Scallop Resource Area in 2019 and 2020: Final Report. Marine Resource Report No. 2022-1. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary. https://doi.org/10.25773/e2ar-7x16
