Peconic Bay Scallop Season Off To 'Fantastic' Start

NORTH FORK, NY — There's nothing that symbolizes the essence of the North Fork more than the kick off to Peconic Bay scallop season. And this year, with an abundance of the mouthwatering morsels and low prices, customers are streaming in to local fish markets to take home the taste of sheer bliss.

According to Keith Reda, manager at Braun Seafood, this year's scallop season, which commenced on Nov. 1, has been "fantastic" so far. "There's plenty of scallops, a good amount of scallops all over the bay," he said.

While in years' past, scallops may have been found in particular areas, this year, fishermen are out all around the bay, finding spots and bringing in bumper amounts, he said. "They're still finding spots and should be able to pick away at them for quite some time."

While last year's season was less than heartening, this year has brought scores of smiles far and wide. Reda said although he's asked the experts, there seems to be no one reason why this season is so much better than those in recent years.

"When all is said and done, it's Mother Nature taking care of herself," he said.

The end result of the Peconic Bay scallop abundance is lower prices — the delectable scallops are priced at $15 per lb. right now at both Braun in Cutchogue and Southold Fish Market.

"I can't tell you how many people are coming in and, when they find out they're only $15 per lb., are saying, 'Well, then, give me 2 lbs.,'" Reda said.

The bottom line is it's a win win for not only the baymen, who work long, hard hours, getting out before 6 a.m., fishing until 11 a.m., and then bringing back the scallops to the shop, where shuckers spend 2 to 3 more hours preparing the scallops for purchase, but for those making extra money doing the shucking, the restaurants, which can charge an affordable price for guests, and the consumers.

"It's fantastic," Reda said. "Everyone gears up for scallop season, and the baymen are always optimistic, but it's nice when it pans out well for everyone. It's a great, great thing. This is great news all around."

Charlie Manwaring, owner of Southold Fish Market in Southold, agreed that the season has been "good, real good. It's probably the best start we've had in a lot of years."

And, he said, those hankering for the succulent scallops can satisfy their cravings for months to come. "We'll have them for quite a long time, it looks like." Even with weather and wind, Manwaring predicts the baymen will be working all winter.

As an added bonus, Manwaring said, prices this year are likely to remain on the low side. "You might see $25 for a lb. of scallops this year — but I doubt it."

Patch photo by Lisa Finn.