Scallop Survey in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean in 2023 Has Been Called Off
The 2023 Northeast Fisheries Science Center sea scallop survey has faced unexpected challenges, with the R/V Hugh R. Sharp encountering mechanical difficulties both at its homeport of Lewes, Delaware and at sea. The research vessel, owned by the University of Delaware and chartered by NOAA Fisheries annually since 2008 for the sea scallop survey, initially sailed from Woods Hole, Massachusetts on June 14 with a scientific crew on board. However, further mechanical failures at sea led to its return to port on June 16, ending the NOAA cruise prematurely. Repairs and sea trials for the R/V Hugh R. Sharp were completed on June 12, but the vessel's issues persisted. As a result, efforts are being made to address data shortfalls through the Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program and contingencies for alternative survey platforms are being considered. One such alternative is the use of the NOAA Ship Bigelow for sea scallop work. The sea scallop survey typically covers the Mid-Atlantic Bight and Georges Bank. This year's survey, which was scheduled from May 13 to June 13, aimed to understand the distribution and abundance of sea scallops, data that are crucial in developing quotas and area openings under the sea scallop fishery management plan. The survey deploys a dredge to collect sea scallops and tows the HabCam, an uncrewed underwater HabCam system that continuously photographs the ocean bottom habitat, capturing images of sea scallops and other marine life. In July, a new version of this system will be tested from the Bigelow. Future cruises may also involve testing the deployment of the towed HamCam from the Bigelow. Other groups who survey in the region may expand their survey plans to include additional dredge stations on Georges Bank and optical survey stations in the Mid-Atlantic. These groups, who are already conducting surveys in the region, may be able to provide additional data for the sea scallop survey. The cancellation of the 2023 survey has prompted discussions about potential replacements for the R/V Hugh R. Sharp. The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is being considered as a possible replacement for the 2023 Northeast Fisheries Science Center sea scallop survey. The R/V Hugh R. Sharp is part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System federal research fleet. Despite its current challenges, the vessel has played a significant role in the sea scallop surveys over the past decade, contributing valuable data to the understanding and management of the sea scallop fishery.
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