Sea Scallops

Cape Cod's scallop fishery consists of roughly 20 small fishing vessels that receive an allocation of quota based on how many pounds of scallops they have harvested in the past. It is a day-boat fishery, and each boat is allowed to bring 600 pounds of scallop meats to shore each day, which means they all get shucked at sea. Together, the 20 boats are responsible for harvesting half a million pounds of scallops annually, providing employment for 120 local fishermen and generating over $5 million worth of revenue for the region.