The bay scallop population appears to be recovering in southern waters of North Carolina. Later this month for the first time since 2005, N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will open the waters of Bogue Sound to the South Carolina line to bay scalloping.
North Carolina has limited bay scallop harvest since 2006, after landings fell so low the state closed all waters to bay scallop harvest. N.C. Fisheries amended its Bay Scallop Fishery Management Plan in 2009 to allow certain water bodies to reopen to harvest for specified periods when bay scallop numbers reached predetermined levels.
Fisheries officials report that biological sampling in Bogue Sound this year found that bay scallop numbers sufficient to allow harvesting and harvesting will open for a Bogue Sound season at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 28 and remain open until 4 p.m. April 1.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Sun Journal