The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) has finalized Framework 39 for the 2025 scallop fishing season, marking a significant moment for one of the Northeast’s most valuable fisheries. The decision sets annual projected landings at 19.75 million pounds, a substantial drop of nearly 28 percent compared to the 27.4 million pounds projected for 2024.
The reduction comes in response to scientific surveys conducted in 2024, which revealed significant declines in scallop biomass across key fishing grounds. Seafood Source shared that these surveys, performed by institutions such as the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology, Maine Department of Marine Resources, and the Coonamessett Farm Foundation, confirmed a troubling downward trend in harvestable stocks.
According to a NEFMC press release, the catch for 2025 is expected to generate approximately $348.25 million—a reflection of the fishery's high value despite reduced harvests. The current outlook follows a steady decline in scallop landings since a peak of over 60 million pounds in 2019. In subsequent years, landings fell to 47.5 million pounds in 2020, 43 million in 2021, 31.5 million in 2022, and 24 million in 2023.
Industry stakeholders have expressed cautious support for the framework. The Fisheries Survival Fund, which advocates the long-term sustainability of the region’s scallop stock, backed the council’s decision, emphasizing the need to balance immediate fishing opportunities with the health of the fishery. "These allocations reflect the need for pragmatic balancing," the group stated ahead of the council's final vote.
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell also lent his support to Framework 39. As the leader of one of the nation’s top ports by value, primarily driven by the scallop industry, Mitchell highlighted the fishery's critical role in the local economy. “The scallop industry is a cornerstone of New Bedford's economy, supporting not only fishermen and their families but also the numerous shoreside businesses that rely on its success,” he wrote in a letter to the council.
Framework 39, in addition to setting lower quotas, introduces closures for several fishing access areas to help rebuild stocks. The Elephant Trunk, Nantucket Lightship north and south, and Platts Bank will all be off-limits to scallopers during the 2025 season.
While the measures reflect a necessary adjustment to address stock declines, they also underscore the scallop industry's resilience. By prioritizing sustainability, the NEFMC and stakeholders aim to preserve the fishery for future generations while navigating current challenges.
