The Last of Their Kind
Nantucket is home to the last commercially viable wild bay scallop fishery in the United States. For 150 years, these sweet, delicate shellfish have sustained island families and defined Nantucket's maritime identity. But the fishery that once harvested 117,000 bushels in a single season now struggles to reach 10,000. This is the story of Nantucket's bay scallops—their history, the threats they face, and the fight to save them.
The Numbers Tell the Story
A Fishery in Decline
Commercial Bay Scallop Harvest (Bushels)
Sources: WGBH, Nantucket Current, Town of Nantucket
"It's like the last bastion of bay scallop populations in the United States... that light has been on almost the entire time."— Steve Tettelbach, Shellfish Ecologist, quoted in WGBH
The Bay Scallop Lifecycle
Understanding why bay scallops are so vulnerable requires understanding their unique biology. Unlike oysters and clams that can live for decades, bay scallops live fast and die young.
Spawning
Adults release millions of eggs in summer. Temperature changes trigger spawning.
Larval Stage
Larvae drift in water column for 10-14 days, traveling with currents.
Settlement
Juveniles attach to eelgrass blades using thin threads called byssus.
Adult Life
Total lifespan: 18-26 months. Most die after spawning once.
Why This Matters
Because bay scallops live only 18-26 months and most spawn only once, a single bad year—from pollution, disease, or habitat loss—can devastate the entire population. There's no older generation to rebuild from. One scallop can produce millions of eggs, but only 1 in 12 million survives to adulthood.
The Eelgrass Connection
Why Eelgrass = Scallops
Bay scallops depend entirely on eelgrass meadows for survival. The relationship is so direct that scientists can predict scallop populations by measuring eelgrass coverage.
Attachment
Juvenile scallops attach to eelgrass blades, staying above predators on the seafloor
Protection
Dense eelgrass canopy shields scallops from crabs, starfish, and other predators
Feeding
Eelgrass blades collect particles that scallops filter for food
Water Quality
Eelgrass filters water and stabilizes sediment, creating ideal conditions
The Threats
Nitrogen Pollution
Fertilizers from lawns and septic systems flow into harbors, triggering algae blooms that block sunlight from reaching eelgrass and deplete oxygen.
Warming Waters
Rising ocean temperatures stress both eelgrass and scallops. Studies show Nantucket's eelgrass is already "thermally stressed" by warming waters.
Development Pressure
Increased coastal development, ferry traffic, and stormwater runoff degrade water quality in Nantucket and Madaket Harbors.
Invasive Species
A non-native cyanobacterium (Hydrocoleum) has been documented forming mats in Nantucket's seagrass beds, potentially harming adult scallops.
Aging Workforce
The average commercial scalloper is aging, and few young people are entering the fishery. In 2024, only ~30 fishermen were active compared to 300+ in the 1980s.
Economic Pressures
Wholesale prices fluctuate dramatically, sometimes making it unprofitable to fish. In 2024, prices opened at $12/lb, down from $15 the year before.
What's Being Done
🏥 Brant Point Shellfish Hatchery
The Town of Nantucket operates this facility to breed bay scallops and supplement wild populations in Nantucket and Madaket Harbors.
🌿 Eelgrass Restoration
The Nantucket Land & Water Council, with Boston University, is transplanting eelgrass shoots from healthy donor sites to restoration areas.
📚 Scientific Research
The Maria Mitchell Association conducts ongoing research on scallop populations, eelgrass health, and the factors affecting both species.
📜 Fertilizer Regulations
Nantucket voters approved a fertilizer ban in 2022 to reduce nitrogen pollution flowing into harbors. Full implementation awaits state approval.
📊 Population Surveys
The Town's Natural Resources Department conducts regular underwater surveys to track scallop populations and guide management decisions.
🌊 Water Quality Monitoring
The town maintains an extensive water quality monitoring program tracking nitrogen levels, dissolved oxygen, and other key indicators.
"The amount of adults in the harbor this year from our surveys is equivalent to what we had in 2012."— Tara Riley, Shellfish and Aquatic Resources Manager, Town of Nantucket (2024)
Try Scalloping Yourself
Recreational Scalloping on Nantucket
Nantucket is one of the few places where visitors can harvest their own bay scallops. The recreational "family" season runs from October through March, and it's a quintessential Nantucket experience.
Permit Requirements
| Who | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Nantucket Residents (60+) | Free | Lifetime |
| Nantucket Residents (14-59) | $35 | Annual |
| Off-Island Visitors | $50 | 1 Week |
| Off-Island Visitors | $125 | 1 Year |
Key Regulations
- Season: October 1 - March 31 (recreational), Wednesday-Sunday only
- Limit: 1 level bushel per person per week
- Methods: Hands, dip nets, rakes, and tongs only (no dredges)
- Size: Growth ring must be at least 10mm from hinge, or shell must be 2.5"+ tall
- Permit Display: Must wear shellfish permit button prominently
Where to go: Nantucket Harbor and Madaket Harbor are the primary scalloping grounds. Many people wade in shallow water or use small boats. Local outfitters rent equipment and can provide guidance.
How You Can Help
Support Scallop Conservation
- Buy Local: Purchase Nantucket bay scallops from island fish markets to support the fishery
- Avoid Fertilizers: If you own property on Nantucket, use native plants and avoid lawn fertilizers
- Support Research: The Maria Mitchell Association accepts donations for marine science programs
- Respect Eelgrass: When boating, avoid anchoring in eelgrass beds
- Pump Out: Always use pump-out stations for boat holding tanks, never discharge in harbors
- Spread the Word: Share the story of Nantucket's scallops and why they matter
A Cultural Treasure
Bay scalloping isn't just an industry on Nantucket—it's part of the island's soul. For 150 years, since the whaling industry moved to New Bedford, scalloping has provided winter income for island families and maintained Nantucket's connection to the sea. The sight of scallop boats heading out on cold November mornings, the community of fishermen at the docks, the fresh-shucked scallops at island restaurants—these define what it means to be a Nantucketer.
The challenges are real: declining eelgrass, warming waters, aging fishermen, and economic pressures. But so is the determination to save this fishery. The Brant Point Hatchery releases millions of larvae each year. Scientists monitor every change in the harbor. Volunteers transplant eelgrass shoot by shoot. And each fall, a new generation of scallops settles onto the remaining eelgrass beds, carrying the hope of another season.
When you order Nantucket bay scallops at a restaurant, or wade into the harbor to try scalloping yourself, you're participating in something rare: America's last wild commercial bay scallop fishery. Treat it with the respect it deserves.
Sources & Further Reading
All statistics and data in this guide are sourced from the publications above. Last updated: January 2025.