It’s been a good summer on the inshore scallop fishing grounds in Southwestern Nova Scotia.
The total allowable catch (TAC) for the 2024 season was increased in four of the five subareas in scallop fishing area (SFA) 29 West to a total of 300 metric tonnes, up from 135 tonnes in 2023.
Subareas B, C and D saw the largest increase in quota increasing from 28 tonnes, 50 tonnes and 32 tonnes to 45 tonnes, 120 tonnes and 105 tonnes respectively.
“The last full assessment of SFA 29 West was conducted in 2015 and the most recent update was conducted in March 2023,” said Lauren Sankey, DFO communications.
“The most recent Science Response indicates that the stocks in Subareas B, C, and D are considered to be in the healthy zone. Commercial abundance in subareas A and E is relatively stable at the current level of removals.”
In 2023, 29 vessels participated in the scallop fishery in SFA 29 West. The commercial season for SFA 29 West generally runs from the third week of June to the end of August. Subareas and scallop production areas (SPAs) close when individual TACs are reached.
According to preliminary statistics from DFO, in 2022–23, the area 29 west scallop fishery had a landed value of $3,808,202.
By comparison, the Bay of Fundy scallop fishery, which includes SPAs one through six, is much larger in scale, with a TAC of 2,200 tonnes. One hundred and ninety-one vessels participated in this fishery during the 2022–23 quota year.
According to preliminary statistics from DFO, the total landed value in 2022–23 was $49,350,436.
The Bay of Fundy inshore scallop season runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. Opening dates for some fishing areas vary within the overall season dates.
