Certifier : 
Global Trust Certification Ltd.
Certified status : 
Certified
Certified since : 
25 Jul 2013
Certificate expires : 
09 Apr 2029

Overview

Fisheries are composed of one or more parts, each of which is entitled to receive an MSC certificate. These parts or “units” are defined by their target stock(s), fishing gear type(s) and if relevant vessel type(s), and the fishing fleets or groups of vessels.

When the term “Unit of Certification” is used for fishing units that are in assessment, it refers to the “Unit of Assessment” or “Unit of potential certification”. Expand a status below to view the parts that form this fishery. To check the detailed scope, download the latest certificate or open the Assessments page to get the latest report. Find out more by visiting our page on Fisheries

Units of Certification & Certificate Information

  • Certified
    MSC UoC Number Species Gear Type Ocean Area Certificate Code
    UoC-0720 Atlantic scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) Dredges - Boat dredges 21 (Atlantic, Northwest) MSC-F-31378 (F-SAI-033)

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Catch by Species

Species Reported Catch Year Metric Tonnes
Atlantic scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) 2022 1,098

Information is provided by an independent Conformity Assessment Body as live weight (the weight of species at the time of catch, before processing) and where a fishing season covers multiple years, the end year is given as the reported catch year. Additional information is available in the latest report, see the assessments page.

About this Fishery

Scallops are found in the North Atlantic between Cape Hatteras and Labrador, from just below tide level to depths of 100m or more. Scallops collect in dense aggregations called beds, especially on gravel bottoms. Some beds occur sporadically while others are essentially permanent.

Scallops have been fished in and around Full Bay for over 100 years. The fishery is managed to maintain the health of the scallop stock as well as other species and habitats.

The 55 vessels of the Full Bay scallop fleet are mainly single purpose vessels less than 20m in length. They use a method called the Digby dredge or drag, where a metal ring with a bag attached is dragged through the scallop bed. The ring must have a diameter of at least 82mm, and the total width of all drags is regulated to 5.5m.

Market Information

Scallops caught by the Full Bay fleet are landed fresh and sold fresh and frozen on markets primarily in the United States and Canada.