Research & Development Division

We propose to design and test an eight foot wide scallop survey dredge to be used by NMFS and others for assessing the sea scallop resource and associated species. The design and testing procedures will be developed as a part of the Sea Scallop Advisory Panel process. The project will be performed in two phases. The first phase will design and fabricate a prototype survey dredge and bag. This gear will then be tuned on a test trip on a commercial vessel and the design modified as appropriate. The second phase will commence when an acceptable design is achieved and will consist of a limited set of tows field testing the chosen dredge design.