Samantha Siedlecki (University of Connecticut), Lisa Colburn (NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center), Shannon Meseck (NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center)
Why we care
The Atlantic sea scallop fishery is worth more than $500 million per year, is the second highest fisheries revenue in the United States, and the largest wild scallop fishery in the world. The vulnerability and resilience of fishing communities to the effects of warming and ocean acidification on Northeast species depends their ability to adapt to both social and environmental exposures. Prior work projecting impacts to scallops in the region found that sea scallop biomass may decline by more than 50% by the end of the century with a large impact on the fishery (Cooley et al. 2015; Rheuban et al. 2018), but new tools and lab results are available for this proposed work that may alter this assessment. This work will assess vulnerability and potential for adaptation using the latest tools and approaches and by further engaging industry members, managers and coastal communities.
What we will do
The project’s main objective is to determine the social and ecological vulnerability of the sea scallop fishery to ocean acidification and temperature changes. The team will investigate ways in which the fishery could become more resilient by identifying avenues for building adaptive capacity in light of projected changes. They will first test a spatially-explicit regional projection of changes relative to sea scallop fishing zones and use critical information on the biological response of scallops to ocean acidification and warming. In order to evaluate historical simulations and promote trust with the target audiences, the team will partner to utilize two industry collected data sets from the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF): the CFRF/WHOI Shelf Oceanographic Research Fleet in partnership with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the Lobster and Jonah Crab Research Fleet.
The human dimension aspect of this study addresses how selected fishing communities rely upon Atlantic sea scallop for economic and social well-being. The proposed outcomes are intended to prepare these communities for the impact of ocean acidification in conjunction with increased temperature to the fishery over the long term, particularly given other more immediate forces of change that may be more immediate concerns. The team will also hold industry workshops to both identify and communicate back findings. Participants in workshops will share their concerns and provide social and historical knowledge of the fishery and their views on potential modifications for management and ways to build resilience. The workshop participants ideas will be incorporated into the final recommendation, which will also be shared in workshops.
Benefits of our work
The Atlantic sea scallop is managed through rotational area management. This work will develop a recommendation for management to assist scallop industry members and managers with changes in the fishery that result from projected ocean acidification and temperature changes. Specifically, the recommendation will include identification of regions that are candidates for future fishing zones and those to consider closing or protecting through the rotational closures.
Investigators
Samantha Siedlecki, University of Connecticut
Lisa L. Colburn, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center
Shannon Meseck, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service
Deborah Hart, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service
N. David Bethoney, Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation
Catherine Matassa, University of Connecticut
Enrique Curchitser, Rutgers University
Advisory Council
Beth Turner, Director of NECAN, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
Sarah Cooley, Director of Climate Policy, Ocean Conservancy
Michael Marchetti, Eastern New England Scallop Association, Owner/Operator F/V Mister G