Limited Access General Category (LAGC)
Sea Scallop Image-Based Research Fleet
Background:
The first Sea Scallop Research Fleet was piloted in 2021. We sought to develop a fishery-dependent survey to collect biological data to support fisheries management and stock assessments, but faced challenges weighing scallop tissues at sea. Feedback from that pilot project led to the development of our first Image-Based Research Fleet, the LAGC Fleet.
The project is being completed in multiple phases. Phase 1 established the Image-Based Research Fleet approach. Combining methods from the Industry Funded Observer Program and camera technology, we analyzed and extracted biological data from individual scallops. The project had great success capturing images of individual scallops for shell height-to-meat weight relationships and extraction of biological data, however the subjectivity of visual identification of scallop gonad maturity stage led to developments for the 2nd phase of the project.
Phase 2 of the LAGC Image-Based Research Fleet is currently underway. Phase 2 is expanding the LAGC Research Fleet to six vessels and will continue to collect biological data in high-priority management areas such as the Northern Gulf of Maine. To address the visual subjectivity of scallop gonad maturity stage, we will conduct histological analysis on gonad tissues collected by our fishing partners. Using the histological samples from scallop gonads in coordination with the images collected from the Research Fleet, we will develop an innovative artificial intelligence technique to remove human error and make the visual ID of the scallop reproductive stage more cost-effective, accurate, and efficient. Data collected will inform population estimates on the seasonal variability of scallop reproduction.
Phase 2 project goals:
Increase the number of vessels in the fleet
Collect data in high priority areas such as the Northern Gulf of Maine
Strengthen the annotated image library by analyzing and extracting biological data from images of individual scallops and cross-referencing the images with histological analysis of gonad tissues
Evaluate the value of data collected for sea scallop management
Project team:
New England Marine Monitoring
Mark Hager, Chief Executive Officer
Anthony Lucia, Operations Manager
Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation
Becky Smoak - Project Lead
N. David Bethoney
Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance
Melissa Sanderson, Chief Operating Officer
Participant vessels:
F/V Tricia Lynn, Harwich/Dennis, MA
F/V Sea Star, Spruce Head, ME
F/V Kathy Ann, Barnegat Light, NJ
F/V Seel Jr., New Bedford, MA
F/V Grace, Gloucester, MA
F/V Helltown, New Bedford, MA
