Peconic Bay Scallop Season A Non-Starter For 3rd Year In A Row

LONG ISLAND, NY — Fans of Peconic Bay scallops, the mouthwatering morsels that have been a longstanding part of the North Fork tradition, were disappointed once again this year when the season once again turned out to be less-than-stellar, with few scallops available.

For the past two years, fishermen and seafood shop owners alike have dubbed the grim situation "a wash," after an almost complete die-off — with simply no scallops to be had.

And this year, while a few are available, for the most part, it's slim pickings.

According to Stephen Tettlebach, a shellfish ecologist at Cornell Cooperative Extension who has been working on bay scallop restoration for 17 years, this year, once again, the adult scallop population in Peconic Bay did not survive.

"I anticipate the harvest this year will be very poor, due to a mass die-off of adults for the third year in a row," he said. "There seem to be a few more adults around compared to last year, but not enough to make for a substantial catch."

When asked what factors led to the dearth of Peconic Bay scallops, Tettleback said the data collected this year strongly suggest the die-offs are due to a combination of high water temperature, disease, and the physiological stress of spawning. The die-offs occurred throughout the Peconic Bays, with the majority of the mortality having occurred by late July, he said.

But, he added, all is not lost.

"The good news is that there was another good spawn this year, before the adults died, and there are a lot of juvenile scallops out there. We plan to continue our restoration efforts and are embarking on a couple of new projects to selectively breed bay scallops that are more resistant to high water temperatures and the disease."

Charlie Manwaring, owner of the Southold Fish Market, said those hankering for the Peconic Bay beauties do have the chance this year to score a lb. — if they're lucky.

"It's the same as last year. There was a major die-off. But there a few guys going out, so we are getting a little bit of product. Not a lot, maybe 30, 40, 50 lbs. a week, Manwaring said.

Those who are lucky enough to purchase an elusive lb. will pay dearly for the privilege: The scallops cost about $55 a lb. this year, a price Manwaring said was unheard of in years' past.

But, he added, customers who've gone years without a succulent bite are willing to ante up for the sweet privilege of scooping up the scallops.

When asked about the die-off, Manwaring said personally, he thinks the scallops' spawning cycle is awry. "They're spawning every year, but they're spawning too early," he said. "Mother Nature has gotten things a little screwed up."

Every year, there are juveniles, Manwaring said. "This year, there were three different sets of juveniles; they spawned three different times. They are doing their job, whether it's a month, or two or three months early, that's the issue."

When spawning should take place in September, it's been happening in June or July, Manwaring said.

When asked for a reason, Manwaring said, "No one knows." He added: "Once they spawn, they are vulnerable. Their life is done. They live a little longer, then they die."

There are a lot of buds in area waters, but "if they all die in August or September, what good is it?" he asked.

Still, Manwaring has paid baymen out in search of what scallops exist. "I want to keep everyone happy — fishermen, customers, myself," he said.

Peconic Bay scallops, he added, are intrinsic to the North Fork canvas. "It's our makeup," he said.

While in years' past, Manwaring has sent his scallops to restaurants in New York City and to locations along the eastern seaboard, this year, that abundance is just a dream.

"I put them out and they're gone in an hour," he said.

Of the prices, Manwaring said he remembers the days when Peconic Bay scallops fetched $7 a lb.: "My old boss? He's rolling in his grave. I can't believe they're that much. I can remember when they were $25 a lb., he thought it was a million dollars. I can't even imagine him knowing that now, they're $55 a lb.," he said.

Still, Manwaring sees hope, and believes that the days of a healthy harvest and lower prices will come again. "When Mother Nature wants us to have them, we will have them. It will just take a few years to get the right cycle," he said.