D'Entrecasteaux Channel scallop survey and stock status update: 2016

The recreational scallop fishery in the D’Entrecasteaux has been closed since 2011 as a consequence of heavy fishing pressure and stock depletion. A limited ROV/dive survey of sites that have previously held high densities of scallops was conducted in April 2016, the first such survey since 2012.

The survey found no evidence of any significant recovery of Commercial or Doughboy Scallop populations in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. In accordance with national stock status definitions both species have been assessed as Overfished.

There was some evidence of recovery of Queen Scallops, with a relatively small but dense bed located in the central Channel region. There are relatively few individuals larger than 110 mm, the dominant size class being in the 75-95 mm size range. Although actual growth rates are uncertain, it is likely that the upper end of this size class will to grow to over 100 mm during the next 12 months. The species has been assessed as Transitional Recovering.

It is recommended that any consideration of opening a scallop fishery in the Channel in the future should be preceded by a dive survey to fully map the extent of the main beds and, if possible, to provide an index of abundance against which the effects of fishing could be assessed. In addition, to ensure that sufficient adult stock remains protected from fishing an appropriate minimum size limit should be set. It is also highly desirable that multiple years of successful recruitment are evident in the population as these cohorts will be required to replenish the adult population and safeguard against possible future variability in recruitment.