The total allowable catch (TAC) for both the inshore and offshore scallop fishery in Nova Scotia waters has been cut for 2026.
The TAC for the inshore scallop fishery in the Bay of Fundy is 769 tonnes (t), an overall reduction of 44 per cent. The cuts extend to scallop production areas (SPA) 1 to 6.
In SPA 1A, the TAC is set at 225 t, a decrease from 315 t in 2024–25. In SPA 1B, a 265 t TAC has been set, down from 425 t in 2024–25. There is only a 50 t TAC in SPA 3, decreased from 130 t in 2024–25. In SPA 4/5, there is an 85 t TAC, decreased from 160 t in 2024–25. In SPA 6, the TAC is set at 144 t, a decrease from 355 t in 2025.
“The latest stock status update for Bay of Fundy scallop production areas suggests the stocks are in the healthy zone; however, there is a risk of entering the cautious zone. A reduction in the TACs for all SPAs is critical for maintaining a sustainable fishery, and to help avoid future fishery closures,” said Lauren Sankey, DFO communications.
Inshore scallop fishing also takes place in scallop fishing area (SFA) 29 along the Nova Scotia Atlantic Ocean shoreline. “SFA 29 East of Baccaro is an effort managed fishery with no TAC. The SFA 29 West TAC for 2026 has not yet been approved. The SFA 29 West TAC for 2025 was 91 t,” said Sankey.
In the offshore, the TAC for all offshore scallop fisheries is 1,575 tonnes. This represents an overall reduction of 51 per cent, however, many fishing areas saw an increase in TAC as opposed to a decrease, said Sankey.
The biggest cuts were made to the two scallop fishing areas on Georges Bank. The TAC for Georges Bank (SFA 27 A) has been set at 500 t, down from 2,100 t in 2025, while the Georges Bank (SFA 26 B) TAC is 50 t, decreased from 400 t.
Elsewhere in SFA 26, the TAC has been maintained in one fishing zone and increased in two others. The Browns Bank North TAC remains the same at 275 t. The Brown’s Bank South TAC was increased to 50 t from 15 t, and the German Bank TAC was increased to 250 t from 200 t.
In SFA 25, the Eastern Scotian Shelf (excluding Banquereau) TAC was increased to 100 t from 15 t. The Banquereau Bank TAC was also increased to 50 t from 15 t.
The TAC for St. Pierre Bank (SFA 10, 11, 12) scallops has increased to 300 t from 175 t.
Sankey said the percentage shares for the offshore scallop fishery were updated in 2024. Adams & Knickle Ltd. has 9.77 per cent; FNC Quota Limited Partnership, 43.86 per cent; Comeau’s Sea Foods Limited, 22.27 per cent; LaHave Seafoods Limited, 11 per cent and Mersey Seafoods Ltd., 13.1 per cent.
“Decisions are informed by the best available science and close engagement with industry, Indigenous groups, provincial governments, and other stakeholders, and socioeconomic considerations are also taken into account,” said Sankey.
According to preliminary statistics from DFO, in 2025, the inshore Bay of Fundy scallop fishery (SPA 1 to 6) had a landed value of $47 million, with 1,132 t landed. In 2024, 1,941 tonnes were landed, valued at $49 million. In 2023, 1,812 tonnes were caught, valued at $52 million.
In SFA 29 west, 86.3 tonnes were landed in 2025, valued at $3.8 million. In 2024, 290 tonnes were landed, valued at $7.5 million. In 2023, 128.9 tonnes valued at $3.9 million was landed.
In SFA East, in 2025, landings were 18.2 tonnes, valued at $0.7 million; in 2024, 40.1 tonnes valued at $1.0 million was landed, and in 2023, 58.1 tonnes was caught valued at $1.7 million.
Offshore scallop landings came in at 1,817 tonnes in 2025 for the two SFAs on Georges Bank. In 2024, 3,598 tonnes were landed and in 2023, 5,185 tonnes.
For the other offshore SFAs, 671 tonnes were landed in 2025; 394 tonnes in 2024 and 434 in 2023.
