Local scallop catches up over last year

Area scallop fishermen are cautiously optimistic that this years catches will be better than theyve seen in the last couple of years.

The four-week-long scallop fishing season began last Monday, April 30 and will close on Saturday, June 2.

Jim Murray, who operates one of about 10 scallop boats fishing out of the Cape Tormentine wharf, said late Monday that his scallop catches are about 15 per cent better than those of the first week of the 2006 season.

Im up about 15 per cent over last year and Im hoping its going to stay that way at least for a while, he said.

I dont know what other guys are getting but no ones complaining, so I guess it must be a little better all over.

He added that most anything would be better than the past few years, noting that in 2000 he fished only a day-and-a-half before pulling his gear out of the water because he, like most other area fishermen, was landing practically no scallops at all.

Murray said he believes water temperature plays a big part in whether fish are plentiful or not.

According to the temperature readings taken by some local guys, the water in the (Northumberland) strait is colder this year than its been for the past few years. Scallops like cold water, thats why they always do well in the Bay of Fundy because the waters a lot colder than it is here, he said.

Murray said hes heartened by the size and quality of the scallop meat, but is also hopeful this will translate into a good price this year for the popular shellfish.

We got $8 a pound last year and were hoping itll be even a little more than that this year. I heard that theyre getting around $8.25 in Cap Pelé, he added.

Over the past three years, fishermen have witnessed a steadily declining scallop fishery in the Northumberland Strait and many have placed the blame for that decline on the construction of the Confederation Bridge.

However, most fish biologists say the decline is most likely part of a natural cycle, with natural environmental factors playing a big part in it.

Unlike most other shellfish, including lobsters and bar clams, there is no minimum size limit placed on harvested scallops.

Instead, fishing regulations state that fisherman must have at least 40 scallops per pound of meat which discourages the landing of small shellfish.

Murray said hes also noticed increased signs of juvenile scallops on the ocean floor, which bodes well for the scallop fishery in the future.

In some places it looks good, some places its better and in others there arent any young ones at all, he explained.

But a few years ago we werent seeing any juvenile scallops anywhere so hopefully its good sign that were seeing them this year.