Commercial license-holders may harvest up to five bushels per day, per boat from state waters. Non-license holders may not offer scallops for sale. Since bay scallops commonly live for only 20 to 26 months, dredging will be allowed in those areas beginning on November 15, in order to access remaining adult scallops that reside in deeper water. Harvesting of bay scallops with diving apparatus is also prohibited in Charlestown, Green Hill, and Quonochontaug Ponds until November 15. Harvesters are reminded that possession of seed scallops is prohibited.
Legal scallops possess a defined raised annual growth ring.
Last year, DEM stocked bay scallops in five south shore coastal ponds. Hatchery-reared seed were planted in selected areas of Point Judith, Potter, Green Hill, Charlestown, and Quonochontaug Ponds. According to April Valliere, DEM principal marine biologist, a small portion were held in protective cages and monitored for growth and survival throughout the year. Scallops were also planted last year in selected areas of Narragansett Bay, in the final year of a bay scallop restoration project funded by the Narragansett Bay Commission. Hatchery-reared scallops and scallops from spat collectors have been transplanted to selected areas of the bay and monitored for growth and survival over the past five years.