A joint Massachusetts legislative hearing in Boston drew state and federal fishery managers, UMass researchers, and industry representatives to discuss sea scallop management, possible access to Georges Bank's northern edge and a narrowly tailored permit-stacking proposal.

The hearing focused on three interlinked issues: the state of the scallop resource and scientific advice used to manage it; consideration of limited, carefully timed access to the so-called northern edge of Georges Bank (an area designated a Habitat Area of Particular Concern); and an industry-backed proposal to allow a vessel to carry two limited-access scallop permits (permit stacking) to reduce costs and modernize operations.

The matter matters because the scallop fishery generates large economic value for Massachusetts ports, particularly New Bedford. Dan McKernan, director of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, said sea scallops account for a large share of Massachusetts seafood revenue and that 2024 scallop landings in value were about $260,000,000. "Massachusetts is the leading seafood producing state on the East Coast and at least half of that value comes from sea scallops," McKernan said as he introduced the topic and invited federal council input.

Dr. Kate O'Keefe, executive director of the New England Fishery Management Council, framed federal management under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and summarized recent council activity on scallops. She said scallop management uses annual catch limits, rotating area closures and effort controls such as days-at-sea and gear limits, and noted the council initiated but later discontinued action in April 2024 to open the northern edge because alternatives conflicted with other conservation objectives. "The council decided that they had a difficult time identifying appropriate areas and seasons," O'Keefe said, adding the council found "a fundamental conflict between optimal timing for scallop yield and the importance of the northern edge to other fishery resources."

Scientists from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth described recent survey results. Kevin Stokesbury, dean of the School of Marine Science & Technology, said recent recruitment events have increased the number of scallops in the water but that many are still too small to be retained by the 4-inch minimum ring-size dredge gear. "Abundance has increased," Stokesbury said, "however biomass has decreased," meaning there are more animals but a lower total weight because many are undersized.

Industry witnesses and the Sustainable Scalloping Fund argued limited access to the northern edge and a constrained stacking policy would provide economic relief without undermining stewardship. Jeruman Kavich, attorney for the Sustainable Scalloping Fund, urged a framework that "preserves environmental integrity while maximizing public benefit" and described the fund as an industry-led vehicle supporting research and adaptive management. Representatives said the fund is backed by vessel owners and supports the Research Set-Aside program that pays for surveys and cooperative research.

On permit consolidation, industry speakers sought a narrow change: allow up to two permits on a single vessel while maintaining ownership caps and other limits. Drew (representing the Sustainable Scalloping Fund) described the approach as operational flexibility for a fleet that now often fishes far fewer days than when permits were first issued. "Today... vessels often fish under 50 days per year. They're at the dock for over 300 days a year," he said, arguing limited stacking would reduce costs, improve safety and help owners avoid forced sales.

Officials and port representatives stressed safeguards and broad industry participation before any rule change. John Regan, representing the Port of New Bedford, said New Bedford's economy depends heavily on scallops and called for any changes to preserve small owners, shoreside businesses and working waterfront infrastructure. "It is essential that any change in how permits are managed or allocated does not jeopardize this," Regan said.

Ongoing council and state-level steps were identified rather than firm decisions at the hearing. O'Keefe said the council's 2023 priority-setting and the council's strategic planning work mean the northern edge remains a likely subject for future reconsideration; she noted the council could reprioritize the action and reinitiate analysis. Multiple witnesses urged continued data collection, transparent science, and stakeholder engagement. The committee arranged further outreach and public events, and industry speakers announced an open house in mid-September and a community event, Scallapalooza, to engage younger workers.

No formal votes or legislative actions were recorded at the hearing; committee members and stakeholders were urged to continue engagement with the council, NOAA Fisheries and industry research partners.

Ending: Committee members said they will continue outreach and monitoring of council actions and industry proposals. Senator Montigny closed by encouraging continued communication between the legislature, federal managers and the industry and by inviting stakeholders to local forums planned this year.