October 28th Scallop Season

What’s Going On in the Shellfish Department?

The opening of Lagoon Pond to the harvest of bay scallops is a much anticipated event. In a good year, the many dipnetters wading with peep sights and and crisscrossing boaters hauling drags create a carnival atmosphere on the pond. Unfortunately, that was not the case when the season opened for recreational fishermen on Saturday, October 27. Opening day coincided with the arrival of a northeaster that brought gale force winds, driving rain and extreme high tides.

The dismal weather only put off the disappointment for one day. For a variety of reasons that included tough winter weather, adult mature scallops are in very short supply this season. Dipnetters who went out Sunday failed to return with their weekly family one bushel recreational limit. Most barely found enough scallops for dinner. The story was the same for the boaters. Hours of dragging barely produced a limit. The total harvest for Sunday was approximately seven bushels. Tisbury Shellfish Constable Danielle Ewart said it was the worst opening day in her memory. The good news is that everyone who went out Sunday reported an abundance of large seed scallops. These immature scallops represent next year’s harvest.

Hines Point is one area that holds abundant seed. In an effort to  protect these animals, prior to opening day the Shellfish Department set out buoys closing off this area. The department has also spread the word that large seed is abundant and scallopers need to be careful to distinguish between large seed and adult scallops — look for the growth ridge.

Danielle shows Nancy Weaver how to distinguish adult bay scallops from seed. 

Tisbury Shellfish Constable Danielle Ewart and the Shellfish Committee plan to discuss closing off the pond to all scalloping in order to protect the existing seed upon which next season will depend. Please check back for updates.

Mike Maseda hauling his boat