The Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board voted Wednesday, Oct. 21, to keep the 2025-26 commercial sea scallop limit at five bushels and to revisit the limit at its Nov. 18 meeting after receiving dive-survey data from the town biologist.

Town biologist Tara presented fall benthic-survey results for Nantucket Harbor, Madaket Harbor and Tuckernuck, saying the long-term record shows a decline in eelgrass and that scallop densities remain low. "In 02/2006 all of Nantucket Harbor ... had 37% total coverage of eelgrass. And this year in 2025, we recorded 17% total coverage of eelgrass," Tara said. She told the board that the harbor-wide average scallop density this year is below 1 scallop per square meter and that Madaket and Tuckernuck were lower still.

The survey data were the key context for the board's recommendation. Tara said the town's protocol sets a data threshold to trigger a bushel discussion: if density reaches 1.5 scallops per square meter or higher, the board would consider an upward adjustment. Because this year's dockside and dive-survey numbers are below that threshold, she recommended opening at the existing five-bushel limit and watching landings and survey data over the first weeks of the season.

Board members and commercial fishers debated the tradeoffs between protecting seed and adult stocks and providing early-season market opportunities. Fishermen argued that the first three weeks of season are critical to sales, and some supported an immediate increase to six bushels if landings supported it. The board settled on a data-driven interim approach: open at five bushels, monitor catch reports and survey results, and reconvene Nov. 18 with a placeholder on the Select Board agenda on Nov. 19 if the advisory board chooses to recommend a different limit.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to remain at five bushels until the Nov. 18 meeting, with the board to review new data and recommend any change thereafter. Motion made by Mr. Anderson and seconded by Mr. Franzuto. Roll-call during the meeting recorded aye votes from members identified in the transcript as Mr. Brace, Mr. Anderson, Ms. Mayo and Mr. Fransudo, and the chair spoke for an affirmative vote; the meeting record also noted abstentions by two participants (including "Jimmy" and Mr. DeCosta). Outcome: approved. (The board recorded the outcome and scheduled the Nov. 18 review.)

Why it matters

The town's dive surveys and the advisory board's limits directly shape how many bushels commercial scallopers may take from Nantucket and Madaket harbors at the start of the season. Eelgrass coverage is a key habitat indicator for scallop recruitment and overall harbor health; the board used the new survey figures as the basis for a cautious, short-term approach rather than an immediate liberalization of the limit.

Supporting details and background

Tara described the survey methodology: divers sample 50-meter transects at 40 sites in Nantucket Harbor and about 12 sites in Madaket/Tuckernuck, recording eelgrass coverage, blade length, macroalgae types, sediment characteristics and scallop counts (seed, nubs, classic and adult sizes). The report covered long-term trends (2006'present) and year-to-year comparisons. Tara said Spart and spat-bag recruitment was strong in 2023 and that spat-bag returns this year were the second-highest since 2023, but that the dive surveys showed limited seed in the sampled plots this fall.

Board members asked staff to collect timely catch reports, and the chair asked natural-resources staff to place the bushel question on the Nov. 18 agenda and, if warranted by data, to request a Select Board placeholder for Nov. 19 so any change could take effect quickly during a high-demand week.

Ending

The advisory board's action was a time-limited decision tied explicitly to the town biologist's data and a plan for rapid review. The board expects to review updated landings and any new survey findings at a Nov. 18 meeting before deciding whether to recommend a change to the Select Board for implementation the following week.