The Massachusetts Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight meeting on July 30, 2025, spotlighted the significant economic impact of the scallop fishery, particularly focusing on New Bedford, which has maintained its status as the top fishing port in the nation by value since 2001. The scallop fishery, once valued at nearly a billion dollars, is currently experiencing a downturn, with average revenue for sea scallops in New Bedford hovering around $400 million.

During the meeting, officials highlighted that New Bedford's scallop landings peaked in 2019 at 41 million pounds, with the value of these landings reaching an impressive $565 million in 2021. This remarkable statistic underscores the port's dominance over other fishing ports, including those in Alaska.

The discussion also touched on community engagement in the scallop fishery, which serves as a measure of how reliant local communities are on this single species. New Bedford, Gloucester, and Chatham were identified as key ports with high engagement levels, indicating a strong reliance on scallops for economic stability.

With 207 federal scallop permits based in Massachusetts, the state plays a crucial role in the scallop industry, which is vital for local economies. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore the economic contrasts and future prospects for the scallop fishery, emphasizing its importance to the region's fishing communities.