12 Molluscs data
12.1 Sea Scallops Biomass, meat weight in kg (NEFSC) - Draft
12.1.1 Project information
Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC
Partner entities: Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
PI name: Rachel Shmookler
PI contact information: Unknown
Data start year: 1966
Data end year: 2014
Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic
12.1.2 Data information
Project link: https://services.northeastoceandata.org/arcgis1/rest/services/MarineLifeAndHabitat/MapServer/5
Data link: NA
Metadata link: https://www.northeastoceandata.org/files/metadata/Themes/Fish/ScallopBiomass.pdf
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Molluscs
Data type: spatial
12.1.3 Project description
This layer displays scallop biomass (meat weights in kilograms) from all NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center NEFSC scallop dredge surveys from 1966 to 2014. The NEFSC scallop survey program began in 1960 and had a major gear change in 1979. Since 1979 there have been other gear and vessel changes, for which the effects are generally small. In cases where it was deemed appropriate after study, correction factors have been applied to the data. These data are used to help assess the stock of scallops in the North Atlantic.
Other data that are collected during NEFSC scallop dredge surveys (but that are not shown here) include scallop shell heights, the number and height of dead scallop shells, any finfish, cephalopods and lobsters caught during the survey, as well as the presence/absence of other bivalve species (e.g., ocean quahogs, razor clams) and invertebrate species (e.g., sand dollars, anemones).
12.2 Sea Scallop Dredge Survey
12.2.1 Project information
Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC
Partner entities: Various (MDMR, VIMS, UMASS SMAST, Coonamessett Farm Foundation)
PI name: Peter D Chase, Jakub Kircun
PI contact information: peter.chase@noaa.gov; jakub.kircun@noaa.gov
Data start year: 1980
Data end year: Present
Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic
12.2.2 Data information
Project link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/22564
Data link: https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/sea-scallop-survey1
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Molluscs
Data type: spatial
12.2.3 Project description
The NEFSC Sea Scallop Survey is an annual quantitative cruise to determine the distribution and abundance of scallops, Placopecten magellanicus, and Icelandic scallops, Chlamys islandica, and to characterize the associated fauna. The survey aims to determine the distribution and abundance of scallops and associated fauna utilizing two sampling devices: the 8-foot wide New Bedford style dredge, standardized sea scallop dredge and the stereo-optic towed camera array (HabCam). Fifteen minute dredge hauls are made at stations that are randomly selected using the NEFSC shellfish strata to provide unbiased abundance measurements. There are three parts to the survey covering the following areas: Mid-Atlantic Bight/Southern New England, Southern New England/Georges Bank, and Georges Bank although coverage in earlier surveys spanned as far south as Cape Hatteras.
12.3 HabCam
12.3.1 Project information
Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC
Partner entities: Various (MDMR, VIMS, UMASS SMAST, Coonamessett Farm Foundation)
PI name: Burton Shank
PI contact information: burton.shank@noaa.gov
Data start year: 2009
Data end year: Present
Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic
12.3.2 Data information
Project link: https://habcam.whoi.edu/
Data link: https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/habitat-mapping-camera-habcam2
Metadata link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/27598
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Molluscs
Data type: spatial
12.3.3 Project description
The HabCam is conducted using transects across bathymetry lines in the same area as the dredge tows. This dataset entails imagery collected using the HabCam towed underwater vehicle and annotated data on objects or habitats in the images and notes on image qualities. Most HabCam images and data are collected as part of the NEFSC sea scallop survey but the vehicle is occasionally used for other surveys. For each survey, a subset of images are selected and manually annotated for the presence of target species.
12.4 MaineDMR Public Health - Shellfish Water Quality Data
12.4.1 Project information
Lead entity: ME DMR
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Wahle, Benjamin
PI contact information: benjamin.wahle@maine.gov
Data start year: 2019
Data end year: Present
Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine
12.4.2 Data information
Project link: https://dmr-maine.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/3652bf2a35664d358e992c2e3cff9506_0/explore
Metadata link: https://dmr-maine.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/maine::mainedmr-public-health-shellfish-water-quality-data/about
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Chemical oceanography, Molluscs
Data type: spatial
12.4.3 Project description
The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Bureau of Public Health collects surface water grab samples at approximately 1,200 water quality monitoring stations along the Maine coast year-round. Samples are processed in the lab via membrane filtration and enumerated for fecal coliform bacteria. Fecal coliform results are reported as the number of colony forming units (individual bacterium capable of forming colonies) per 100mL of water. DMR scientists analyze data from each station and calculate annual summary statistics using at least 30 of the most recent samples collected under a systematic-random sampling strategy. These values, along with sanitary surveys of the area, help determine whether the water quality is acceptable for harvesting molluscan shellfish. For more information about water quality monitoring and the classification of shellfish flats, visit https://www.maine.gov/dmr/fisheries/shellfish/shellfish-growing-area-classification.
12.5 Modeling Exploration of the impacts of natural and anthropogenic stressors on sea scallop recruitments over the U.S. Northeast Continental Shelf
12.5.1 Project information
Lead entity: SMAST
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Changsheng Chen
PI contact information: c1chen@umassd.edu
Data start year: 2022
Data end year: Unknown
Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic
12.6 Shellfish Management Areas
12.6.1 Project information
Lead entity: Northeast Ocean Data
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Unknown
PI contact information: Unknown
Data start year: Unknown
Data end year: 2017
Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic
12.6.2 Data information
Project link: https://www.northeastoceandata.org/files/metadata/Themes/Aquaculture/ShellfishManagementAreas.pdf
Data link: https://www.northeastoceandata.org/data-download/
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Habitat, Molluscs
Data type: spatial
12.7 [PLANNED] Gulf of Maine fish and invertebrate benthic habitat baseline data collection
12.7.1 Project information
Lead entity: TBD
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Brandon Jensen
PI contact information: brandon.jensen@boem.gov
Data start year:
Data end year: 2026
Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine
12.7.2 Data information
Project link: https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/environment/environmental-studies/Studies-Development-Plan-2023-2024.pdf
Data link: NA
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: No
Data categories: Habitat, Molluscs, Crustaceans, Groundfish
Data type: spatial
12.7.3 Project description
The objective of this study is to establish baseline benthic habitat characteristics at regional/WEA scales (10s of km). These data would allow for improved siting, impact assessments, and provide a baseline to evaluate project-scale habitat surveys submitted by lessees. Additionally, the results of this study would enhance our scientific understanding of these habitats, improve our EFH consultations with NMFS under the MSA in the region, and inform the National Environmental Policy Act process with the best available information regarding benthic resources in the Gulf of Maine.
[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”
12.8 Developing Best Practices and Applying Environmental DNA (eDNA) Tools and in Support of Assessing and Managing Living Marine Species in an Ecosystem-based Context
12.8.1 Project information
Lead entity: BOEM
Partner entities: NOAA NEFSC, Smithsonian Institution, AMAPPS
PI name: Tim White
PI contact information: timothy.white@boem.gov
Data start year: 2021
Data end year: 2023
Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic
12.8.2 Data information
Project link: https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/environment/environmental-studies/SDP_2022-2023.pdf
Data link: NA
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: No
Data categories: Sea turtles, Seabirds, Marine mammals, Molluscs
Data type: spatial
12.8.3 Project description
BOEM and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center will evaluate the eDNA “net” for accuracy in resolving community structure in space and through time by comparing taxa identified in water samples with quantified multi-species hotspots (T. White) derived from fisheries and observer-based sampling programs (e.g., AMAPPS). This project proposes identifying which species and guilds eDNA resolves well and those it misidentifies with an ecosystem-based context. For example, seabirds and invertebrates (e.g., clams) have been overlooked in most eDNA studies, even though these communities are essential in BOEM assessments and by other federal agencies. We will evaluate how well eDNA metabarcoding resolves marine communities using retrospective analyses (persistent communities) and simultaneous observations (observers; net tows; aerial cameras). The main objectives are to identify strengths and weaknesses in methodology; address weaknesses by populating genetic databases where feasible, and guide future BOEM projects across the regions.
[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”
12.9 Northeast Regional Habitat Assessment Data Explorer
12.9.1 Project information
Lead entity: MAFMC, NEFMC, NEFSC
Partner entities: Many
PI name: Jessica Coakley
PI contact information: jcoakley@mafmc.org
Data start year: 2022
Data end year: Present
Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic
12.9.2 Data information
Project link: https://www.mafmc.org/nrha
Data link: https://nrha.shinyapps.io/dataexplorer/#!/species
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Groundfish, Elasmobranchs, Crustaceans, Pelagic fishes, Habitat, Molluscs, Diadromous fish, Coastal fishes
Data type: spatial
12.10 Maine-New Hampshire (ME-NH) Trawl Survey Data Portal
12.10.1 Project information
Lead entity: Maine DMR
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Robyn Linner
PI contact information: Robyn.Linner@maine.gov
Data start year: 2000
Data end year: Present
Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine
12.10.2 Data information
Project link: https://mainedmr.shinyapps.io/MaineDMR_Trawl_Survey_Portal/
Data link: NA
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Habitat, Physical oceanography, Groundfish, Molluscs, Crustaceans, Pelagic fishes, Coastal fishes, Elasmobranchs, Diadromous fish
Data type: spatial
12.10.3 Project description
The Maine-New Hampshire Inshore Trawl Survey is a fishery-independent survey operated by Maine Department of Marine Resources that started in the fall of 2000. The survey is a collaborative partnership between commercial fishermen and state researchers to assess inshore fish stocks along the coast of Maine and New Hampshire. The survey occurs twice a year, in the spring and fall, and covers about 4500 square miles.