2021-22 Scallop Season Recap

As this year’s scallop season comes to a close, we checked in with several Nantucketers on their experience, what the catch was like, and what they expect for next year’s season.

 The Commercial Scalloper: Bruce Cowan

Shellfish Association: How do you feel the season went?

Bruce: The catch is down.  Water quality is the reason.  Erosion along the shorelines of the harbor - in other words, the sand that washes in the water - is also a problem.  The season started with about 35 boats.  Within a couple weeks we were down to 24.  Now, late in the season, there are just a handful of us who  go regularly.

Shellfish Association:  How long have you been scalloping on Nantucket?

Bruce:  For over 40 years.  When I started, there were a lot more boats and the fleet has diminished as the scallops have diminished.

Shellfish Association:  Why is the Shellfish Association important to you?

Bruce:  I've seen the Shellfish Association grow significantly, which is great, and it's been able to bring in a lot of recreational fishermen.  We all need to do what's right for the harbor and the Shellfish Association helps get the word out.

Shellfish Association:  What’s your favorite way to prepare scallops?

Bruce: I like them breaded and fried.  I roll them in a little flour with salt and pepper, put them in an egg wash, then in some panko bread crumbs and deep fry them. 

 The Shellfish Constable: J.C. Johnsen

Shellfish Association:  Do you have the bushel counts for the season?

JC:  I actually won't have any bushel counts until after I process all of the commercial licenses.  I do feel like the season went fine.

Shellfish Association:  Any predictions for next year?

JC:  I don’t predict the following year because it could go any way from now until then. 

Shellfish Association:  How would you say the health of the harbor is?

JC:  I’ve been told by the fishermen that it seems to be the same.

The Outfitter Perspective: Noah Gerstmyer, General Manager, Tidal Creek Boatworks

Shellfish Association: How do you feel the season went?

Noah:  It was our first year running Tidal Creek and I felt like there was a lot of excitement at the start of the season. To start out, the catch reports were good, but it’s since died down a little bit but naturally people aren’t scalloping as much as they did in the beginning of the season.  All in all, it was fun to be a part of and we hope to support those activities in the years to come.  Hopefully with the work of the Shellfish Association, we can continue to put a spotlight and focus on Nantucket Harbor, the surrounding water, and our unique fishery.

The Seafood Market Perspective: Jeff Henderson, Owner of Glidden’s Seafood Market

Shellfish Association: How do you feel the season went?

Jeff:  It was pretty bad. There weren't many scallops around, and there wasn’t a whole lot of effort, just because there weren’t a lot of scallops around, and there was so much work for guys to do other things. I heard there was a lot of seed in Madaket.  Price was through the roof because there wasn’t a lot around.

Shellfish Association:  Any thoughts or predictions for next year?

Jeff:  I have no idea. The seed in Madaket could go either way. From what I hear, it’s a very dense volume of scallops out there, and that could all die and get smothered out. Or it could be a banner year, but when they're that thick, the size of the scallops don’t get very big. So it could go either way.  It’s good to get the knowledge out to the public on the health of the harbor, and that’s why the Shellfish Association is so incredibly important.

The Recreational Scalloper: Peter McCue

 Shellfish Association:  How do you feel the season went?

Peter:  I thought it was great. It took a while for me to find some good spots, but once I did, I found plenty. I usually dive early in the season and then rake when the water gets cold. Diving in deeper water was definitely more productive. I saw plenty of seed out there in both shallow and in deep water. I was probably out there once a week in October and November and only once or twice each in December, January and February. I’m looking forward to getting out there again before the season ends.

SA:  Any challenges worth noting?

Peter:  The weather was challenging this year. I typically only go during low tide so there are limited opportunities to get out there. Wind and foul weather are always an issue.

SA: And what is your favorite way to prepare your catch?

Peter:  Ceviche, of course!