Following a recent amendment to the Town Code, the East Hampton Town Board has announced that the scallop season in town waters will begin at sunrise on Sunday, November 10, 2024, and will continue until sunset on March 31, 2025.
In line with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regulations, bay scallops can be harvested from the first Monday in November through March 31. The state has scheduled its scallop season to open in state waters on November 4, 2024. By delaying the opening in town waters, the Town Board aims to provide additional time for scallops to spawn and mature, promoting a sustainable and healthy harvest for the local fishery.
“Delaying the opening date is a vital step toward ensuring the long-term health of our scallop population,” said Councilmember David Lys. “This decision reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship. By allowing more time for the scallops to mature and reproduce, we are not only enhancing the current population but also setting the stage for future generations to benefit from a healthy fishery.”
The resolution, sponsored by Lys and unanimously adopted by the Town Board, emphasizes the town’s authority to determine scalloping dates based on best practices for marine resource management.
“By collaborating closely with our community and adhering to state guidelines, we are proactively safeguarding our shellfish populations and the livelihoods they support,” said East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. “This decision underscores our dedication to sustainable fishing practices that not only benefit our local economy but also preserve the natural resources that define our coastal community. We believe that by taking these thoughtful steps, we are protecting our waters for the enjoyment of residents ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the beauty of our local waters.”
Bay scallops are not only a beloved local delicacy but also play a vital role in the ecology of Peconic Bay. Unlike hard clams and oysters, bay scallops do not burrow into the substrate; instead, they can swim by rapidly opening and closing their shells, a unique adaptation that helps them escape predators. With a life cycle of about 18 to 22 months, they are simultaneous hermaphrodites, producing both eggs and sperm, which enhances their reproductive potential.
Historically, bay scallops have been integral to the local economy and culture. Once known as “the jewels of the Eastern Long Island fishing industry,” their populations faced dramatic declines due to environmental factors, including brown tide algal blooms and eelgrass wasting disease. Restoration efforts initiated by the East Hampton Town Shellfish Hatchery began in 1997. This work has helped improve scallop populations, with recent intensive programs by organizations such as Long Island University and Cornell Cooperative Extension showing promise.
Despite past successes, the population remains vulnerable. Climate change and habitat degradation continue to threaten their survival. Researchers are actively exploring genetic resilience in surviving scallops to bolster future restoration efforts.
Scallops may not be harvested from East Hampton Town waters until the new opening date. Recreational harvesters are reminded that they may take one bushel of bay scallops per day during the season, provided the scallops meet the size limit of 2-1/4 inches.
For more information on the scallop season, shellfishing regulations, and other marine resources, please contact the Aquaculture Department at 631-668-4601 ext. 7901, or visit the Town of East Hampton website.