DuPaul, William D.

Rudders, David B.

English

College of William & Mary: W&M Publish

W&M ScholarWorks Reports 3-25-2010 Abundance and Distribution of Sea Scallops and Yellowtail Flounder during the 2009 VIMS/Industry Cooperative Survey of the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area (NLCA) William D. DuPaul Virginia Institute of Marine Science David B. Rudders Virginia Institute of Marine Science Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wm.edu/reports  Part of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons Recommended Citation DuPaul, W. D., & Rudders, D. B. (2010) Abundance and Distribution of Sea Scallops and Yellowtail Flounder during the 2009 VIMS/Industry Cooperative Survey of the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area (NLCA). Marine Resource Report No. 2010-2. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary. http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.21220/m2-c5be-9z68 This Report is brought to you for free and open access by W&M ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Reports by an authorized administrator of W&M ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact scholarworks@wm.edu.   For additional information please contact:  David B. Rudders, Fisheries Specialist, rudders@vims.edu or William D. DuPaul, Professor Emeritus, dupaul@vims.edu.   Abundance and Distribution of Sea Scallops and Yellowtail Flounder during the 2009 VIMS/Industry Cooperative Survey of the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area (NLCA)       Submitted to: Sea Scallop Fishing Industry      William D. DuPaul  David B. Rudders  Marine Advisory Services Virginia Institute of Marine Science College of William and Mary Gloucester Point, VA   23062       VIMS Marine Resource Report No. 2010-2 March 25, 2010      This work is a result of research sponsored by NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Sea Scallop Research Set Aside Program under Grant No. NA09NMF4540133.  The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of any of those organizations. 2 The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) conducted a sea scallop survey in the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area (NCLA) during July 2009.  The survey was funded by the Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program (RSA).  The results of the survey indicated an exploitable scallop biomass of 11,017 metric tons or 25.3 million lbs with an average meat count of 10.1 MPP.  This is more than sufficient for an opening in 2010.  The survey also encountered a limited number of yellowtail flounder which still may present the possibility that the scallop fishery could prematurely reach the yellowtail TAC during the opening. The survey was conducted aboard the F/V Celtic towing a NMFS 8 foot survey dredge along with a 15 foot commercial dredge with a 10 inch diamond mesh twine top with a 1.76 hanging ratio (60 meshes, 34 rings) and 8.5 meshes on the side.  The abundance and distribution of sea scallops and yellowtail flounder are presented in Table 1 and Figures 1- 2.  In Figure 3, the shell height frequency distribution is presented.  One can easily discern the peak abundance of scallops at 120 mm (4.8 inches) which represent the strong 2003 year class.  These scallops will be around 5.5 inches in 2010.  The other peak to the right represents older scallops in the area that are reaching their maximum size.  This information is based on the catch data obtained from the commercial dredge during a 15 minute tow at 3.8 kts with a 3:1 scope.  We present this data so that the scallop industry can target fishing effort to areas where there may be less yellowtail bycatch.  We recognize that this data is from the 2009 survey, but may provide some guidance as to the distribution of yellowtail but accurate information as to the distribution and abundance of sea scallops.  VIMS conducted several research trips aboard the F/V Celtic within the boundaries of the Georges Bank Access Areas during 2006 and 2007 to test the effects of altering the twine top ratio on finfish bycatch.  The results indicated that there was a significant reduction in yellowtail by catch and no loss of scallops when a twine top hanging ratio of 1.76 (60 meshes, 34 rings) was used compared to a 2.64 hanging ratio (90 meshes, 34 rings)  Both dredges had twine tops with 8.5 meshes on the side and 7 rings to the clubstick.  Another experiment was conducted using a short twine top (5.5 meshes on the side) with an apron of 13 rings compared with a standard twine top with 8.5 meshes on the side and a 7 ring apron.  The results showed that the short twine top configuration caught more yellowtail flounder than the standard configuration.  Dredges rigged with short twine tops and high hanging ratios are not useful for the reduction of yellowtail flounder.  This is an important consideration for the opening of the NLCA in 2010 flounder bycatch.   3 Table 1  Catch data for the VIMS/Industry cooperative survey of the access area of Nantucket Lightship Closed Area during July 2009. Station Latitude (degrees) Latitude (minutes) Longitude (degrees) Longitude (minutes) Scallop (Number) Scallop (Lbs.) Count (MPP) Yellowtail (Number) Yellowtail (lbs.) Ratio                       (YT lbs./1000 lbs. of scallops) NL-1 40 49.254 69 28.392 3 0.2 13.0 1 0.9 3698.7 NL-2 40 49.254 69 25.665 32 3.9 8.1 3 2.7 673.7 NL-3 40 49.254 69 22.937 9 0.8 10.6 2 1.8 2160.0 NL-4 40 49.254 69 20.210 42 4.3 9.7 1 1.2 279.1 NL-5 40 49.254 69 17.483 6311 634.1 10.0 0 0.0 0.0 NL-6 40 49.254 69 14.756 2391 226.5 10.6 0 0.0 0.0 NL-7 40 49.254 69 12.028 207 18.5 11.2 0 0.0 0.0 NL-8 40 49.254 69 9.301 3247 273.8 11.9 0 0.0 0.0 NL-9 40 49.254 69 6.574 1518 150.1 10.1 0 0.0 0.0 NL-10 40 49.254 69 3.846 919 108.1 8.5 0 0.0 0.0 NL-11 40 49.254 69 1.119 961 120.6 8.0 3 2.5 21.1 NL-12 40 47.436 69 25.665 45 5.6 8.0 3 2.8 491.9 NL-13 40 47.436 69 22.937 1 0.1 7.0 7 7.6 53115.3 NL-14 40 47.436 69 20.210 3705 374.7 9.9 3 3.8 10.1 NL-15 40 47.436 69 17.483 1640 166.5 9.8 2 1.4 8.4 NL-16 40 47.436 69 14.756 3763 326.2 11.5 0 0.0 0.0 NL-17 40 47.436 69 12.028 2288 202.4 11.3 2 1.1 5.6 NL-18 40 47.436 69 9.301 3247 266.2 12.2 7 8.3 31.2 NL-19 40 47.436 69 6.574 902 96.6 9.3 12 11.4 118.0 NL-20 40 47.436 69 3.846 671 80.8 8.3 0 0.0 0.0 NL-21 40 47.436 69 1.119 747 79.5 9.4 0 0.0 0.0 NL-22 40 45.618 69 25.665 35 3.5 10.1 1 0.6 167.1 NL-23 40 45.618 69 22.937 484 59.6 8.1 1 0.6 9.7 NL-24 40 45.618 69 20.210 889 110.2 8.1 1 1.4 12.9 NL-25 40 45.618 69 17.483 4239 370.2 11.4 2 1.8 5.0 NL-26 40 45.618 69 14.756 984 73.8 13.3 3 2.9 39.2 NL-27 40 45.618 69 12.028 3376 295.4 11.4 2 1.5 5.1 NL-28 40 45.618 69 9.301 2429 165.7 14.7 4 3.1 18.7  4 NL-29 40 45.618 69 6.574 1729 178.5 9.7 4 3.7 20.7 NL-30 40 45.618 69 3.846 850 111.5 7.6 1 1.1 10.0 NL-31 40 45.618 69 1.119 1634 180.7 9.0 1 0.6 3.2 NL-32 40 43.799 69 22.937 0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 NL-33 40 43.799 69 20.210 7 0.5 13.9 1 0.6 1275.8 NL-34 40 43.799 69 17.483 1112 93.8 11.8 0 0.0 0.0 NL-35 40 43.799 69 14.756 917 80.0 11.5 3 3.5 44.4 NL-36 40 43.799 69 12.028 1954 174.8 11.2 1 0.1 0.5 NL-37 40 43.799 69 9.301 1255 120.8 10.4 13 12.6 104.4 NL-38 40 43.799 69 6.574 0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 NL-38 40 43.799 69 6.574 744 84.0 8.9 7 7.0 83.8 NL-39 40 43.799 69 3.846 791 110.5 7.2 2 2.3 21.1 NL-40 40 43.799 69 1.119 2222 229.2 9.7 1 0.5 2.3 NL-41 40 41.981 69 22.937 17 1.4 12.2 7 8.5 6108.0 NL-42 40 41.981 69 20.210 1120 82.1 13.6 4 4.1 50.4 NL-43 40 41.981 69 17.483 1219 111.5 10.9 0 0.0 0.0 NL-44 40 41.981 69 14.756 793 64.4 12.3 2 2.2 34.9 NL-45 40 41.981 69 12.028 1982 157.4 12.6 0 0.0 0.0 NL-46 40 41.981 69 9.301 865 87.9 9.8 3 2.2 24.8 NL-47 40 41.981 69 6.574 703 79.8 8.8 3 2.6 32.6 NL-48 40 41.981 69 3.846 143 20.5 6.9 0 0.0 0.0 NL-49 40 41.981 69 1.119 3416 404.4 8.4 0 0.0 0.0 NL-50 40 40.163 69 20.210 813 96.8 8.4 0 0.0 0.0 NL-51 40 40.163 69 17.483 5 0.4 11.7 1 1.1 2618.1 NL-52 40 40.163 69 14.756 412 44.5 9.3 3 3.7 84.0 NL-53 40 40.163 69 12.028 714 62.5 11.4 23 20.0 319.6 NL-54 40 40.163 69 9.301 408 48.0 8.5 2 2.6 54.9 NL-55 40 40.163 69 6.574 233 30.5 7.6 1 1.4 46.6 NL-56 40 40.163 69 3.846 271 41.8 6.5 0 0.0 0.0 NL-57 40 40.163 69 1.119 2117 287.5 7.4 0 0.0 0.0 NL-58 40 38.345 69 20.210 12 1.1 11.0 1 0.1 77.4 NL-59 40 38.345 69 17.483 416 54.9 7.6 1 0.9 17.1  5 NL-60 40 38.345 69 14.756 308 39.6 7.8 2 1.2 30.8 NL-61 40 38.345 69 12.028 491 69.7 7.0 6 4.7 66.9 NL-62 40 38.345 69 9.301 502 59.4 8.4 4 2.8 46.4 NL-63 40 38.345 69 6.574 228 30.0 7.6 1 0.1 4.0 NL-64 40 38.345 69 3.846 294 33.5 8.8 0 0.0 0.0 NL-65 40 38.345 69 1.119 434 53.6 8.1 2 1.2 22.8 NL-66 40 36.527 69 17.483 255 27.4 9.3 8 3.8 137.1 NL-67 40 36.527 69 14.756 129 16.6 7.8 2 1.8 107.6 NL-68 40 36.527 69 12.028 155 19.0 8.2 3 2.4 124.1 NL-69 40 36.527 69 9.301 511 70.5 7.2 5 4.0 56.6 NL-70 40 36.527 69 6.574 278 32.7 8.5 0 0.0 0.0 NL-71 40 36.527 69 3.846 145 18.9 7.7 0 0.0 0.0 NL-72 40 36.527 69 1.119 213 27.2 7.8 1 0.6 21.3 NL-73 40 34.708 69 17.483 484 69.6 7.0 0 0.0 0.0 NL-74 40 34.708 69 14.756 137 20.6 6.6 1 1.7 80.3 NL-75 40 34.708 69 12.028 37 5.3 6.9 0 0.0 0.0 NL-76 40 34.708 69 9.301 267 34.6 7.7 1 0.9 27.1 NL-77 40 34.708 69 6.574 399 56.8 7.0 0 0.0 0.0 NL-78 40 34.708 69 3.846 654 104.5 6.3 0 0.0 0.0 NL-79 40 34.708 69 1.119 180 27.2 6.6 0 0.0 0.0 NL-80 40 32.890 69 14.756 313 50.2 6.2 1 1.0 20.4 NL-81 40 32.890 69 12.028 156 23.2 6.7 0 0.0 0.0 NL-82 40 32.890 69 9.301 29 3.1 9.4 0 0.0 0.0 NL-83 40 32.890 69 6.574 73 10.8 6.8 1 1.3 121.9 NL-84 40 32.890 69 3.846 51 7.4 6.9 0 0.0 0.0 NL-85 40 32.890 69 1.119 55 7.8 7.1 0 0.0 0.0 NL-86 40 31.072 69 14.756 63 9.0 7.0 1 0.5 58.1 NL-87 40 31.072 69 12.028 36 5.7 6.4 0 0.0 0.0 NL-88 40 31.072 69 9.301 82 12.4 6.6 0 0.0 0.0 NL-89 40 31.072 69 6.574 15 2.2 6.9 1 0.6 268.1 NL-90 40 31.072 69 3.846 69 8.5 8.1 1 1.5 180.8 NL-91 40 31.072 69 1.119 28 4.1 6.9 2 2.0 482.4  6 Figure 1.  Spatial representation of sea scallop catch encountered during the VIMS/Industry survey of Nantucket Lightship Closed Area during July of 2009.    7 Figure 2  Spatial representation of yellowtail flounder catch encountered during the VIMS/Industry survey of Nantucket Lightship Closed Area during July of 2009.    8 Figure 3.  Shell height frequency for scallops captured in the 15 ft. commercial dredge during the VIMS/Industry cooperative survey of the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area during July of 2009.   Shell Height (mm)20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200Frequency020004000600080001000012000Commercial Dredge 

Abundance and Distribution of Sea Scallops and Yellowtail Flounder during the 2009 VIMS/Industry Cooperative Survey of the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area (NLCA)

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Abundance and Distribution of Sea Scallops and Yellowtail Flounder during the 2009 VIMS/Industry Cooperative Survey of the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area (NLCA)

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