A Report on the Field Investigation into Commercial Potential of the Patagonian Scallop, Chlamys Sp. off Uruguay

BIVAR SA initiated exploratory fishing on a Patagonian scallop bed off the coast of Uruguayo Preliminary indications are that a fishery can be developed, initially on the scale of two to four small vessels. Careful monitoring of the fishery while it being conducted, as well as additional explorations, will determine the lity of the need for a for the The economics to be the The meat count of the scallops produced in may range somewhere between 185-222/kg (85-100/lb.) if small scallops and pieces are removed

Results of Commercial Sea Scallop Survey in the Virginia Beach Closed Area September 2000

This report presents the results of the commercial survey of the Virginia Beach Closed Area. The survey was conducted aboard the commercial sea scallop vessel F IV Alice Amanda from Hampton VA. Sampling began September 19, 2000 and was completed September 22, 2000

Preliminary Results of Commercial Sea Scallop Survey in the Hudson Canyon South Closed Area June 2000

This report presents the preliminary results of the commercial survey of the Hudson Canyon Closed Area. The survey was conducted aboard the FN Alice Amanda from June 8-15, 2000. A systematic grid design was utilized with survey stations located approximately 5 nm apart (Figure 1). Survey stations were located both inside and outside the boundaries of the closed area. Additional stations were added along the western, northern and southern boundaries in an attempt to resolve the boundary effects on sea scallop abundance and size distribution. Survey tows were 10 minutes in duration at a speed of 4.5-5.0 kts. The sampling gear consisted of two standard 15 ft. New Bedford style sea scallop dredges with 8 inch twine tops, ring bags knit with 3.5 ·(88.9 mm) rings, and no tickler or rock chains. An inclinometer was attached to the frame of the starboard dredge to measure dredge angle and bottom contact time. The results of the initial data analysis are shown in Figures 2-8. Catch data are shown in Figures 2-4 with scallop catches separated into two categories of shell height: less than 90 mm (Figure 2) and greater than or equal to 90 mm shell height (Figure 3). A total scallop catch at each station is shown in Figure 4. Differences in sea scallop abundance and size structure were examined with respect to samples taken inside or outside of the closed area (Figure 5), strata calculated by dividing the closed area into equal North and South portions along the 39° 01.566\u27 latitude (Figure 6), and by depth regimes within the closed area (Figure 7). Catch data stratified by two factors: 1). North and South 2). inside and outside the closed area are shown in Table 1. The initial biomass estimate is shown in Table 2. The following assumptions were used in calculating biomass: 1. Stratification of the closed area into two roughly equal portions. 2. Utilizing a systematic grid design, number of stations was proportional to area of strata. 3. Tows that fell on closed area boundary were included in the calculation. 4. All scallops harvested were included 5. The coefficients of the shell height-meat weight relationship a=-12.1628 b=3.2539. 6. A nominal tow length of 1 nm. Each tow covered 0.00494 nm2 7. A dredge efficiency of 40% 8. Harvest represents a removal of 25% of the standing stock The next iterations of biomass estimates will follow accordingly: 1. The number of scallops from 80-100 mm will be corrected for the selectivity of the 3.5 ring dredge. This means that the total number of scallops at each 5 mm interval from 80-100 mm will increase. Consequently, their contribution will also increase the biomass estimate. We will still use the nominal tow length of l nm and a 40% dredge efficiency. 2. The biomass estimate in l will be calculated to account for growth and natural mortality (0.1) to project the standing stock in 2001. 3. The biomass estimate in l and 2 will be calculated to account for actual tow length and changes in dredge efficiency based on the 1999 depletion experiments in the Hudson Canyon Closed Area on 100+ mm scallop

Price Flexibility Analysis of Virginia Hard Clams: Economic Considerations for Management of the Fishery

Price flexibility coefficients estimated for ex-vessel prices of Virginia hard clams indicate a very small (4.292 x 10-6 to 6.994 x 10-6%) decrease in price would occur given a 1% increase in the quantity supplied by Virginia harvesters. Data used were monthly landings of Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Maryland and North Carolina over the period 1960-1979. Fifty-eight percent of the ex-vessel price changes are not explained by the supply response model used, suggesting other market and consumer demand factors play a large role in determining ex-vessel price. This conclusion is reached considering the historical range of production 1n Virginia. Possible legislative changes to aid the fishery are: (1) Allowing the use of efficient harvesting technologies on private leased bottom, (2) Consider seasonal use of efficient harvesting technologies to take advantage of seasonal peaks in ex-vessel prices, (3) Institute a new statistical reporting system that reports the catch/day of each harvester and the proportion of each market grade caught, (4) Establishment of subaqueous bottom ar1~as specifically for the field culture of hard clams, and (5) Set and 1~nforce a minimum legal cull size