Nova Scotia’s valuable sea scallop species is under threat from natural predators in a renowned fishing area. The recent Fisheries and Oceans Canada stock assessment for sea scallops in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 27A on Georges Bank has shown significant changes in biomass and natural mortality rates. This led to a reduction in the total allowable catch in December.
The assessment revealed a decrease in fully recruited biomass from 31,095 tonnes in 2023 to 13,570 tonnes in 2024, after being stable in the healthy zone since the 2000s. Additionally, recruit biomass, representing new scallops in the population, plummeted by 72% from 2023 to 2024.
The report attributes the fluctuation in stock condition in the SFA to environmental variability, with a notable increase in predator abundance like sea stars and crabs in areas where scallops are found. This has led to higher natural mortality rates.
In response to these findings, a reduced interim total allowable catch of 2,100 tonnes was set for 2025, down from 4,000 tonnes in 2024. Susanna Fuller from Oceans North expressed concern about the decline but mentioned that it will take several years to determine if the rise in predator populations is a long-term trend.
The fishing industry has some flexibility to mitigate the impact, as companies operating in SFA 27A are licensed to fish in various areas. Despite the lower total allowable catch, the industry is not expected to suffer a significant financial blow, especially with the current strong scallop prices. Scientists predict no immediate change for the following year based on the latest data and modeling.
The ongoing monitoring of scallop conditions and predator populations will be crucial in the next few years to assess the sustainability of the fishery. The industry’s ability to adapt to changing conditions and the strong market demand for scallops are seen as factors that may help maintain overall sustainability in the sector.