NEFMC Advances Scallop Fishery Management in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Framework for Sustainable Resource Management

The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) is developing Framework Adjustment 40 (FW40) to establish sustainable management specifications for the 2026 and 2027 Atlantic sea scallop fishery. This initiative directly supports the principles of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by ensuring the long-term health and productivity of this vital marine resource.

Upholding SDG 14: Conserving Life Below Water

The core objective of FW40 is to implement science-based management plans that prevent overfishing and maintain a healthy marine ecosystem, directly addressing targets within SDG 14. Key measures to be established include:

1. Setting the overfishing limit and acceptable biological catch to ensure harvesting levels are scientifically sustainable (Target 14.4).
2. Establishing annual catch limits and allocating days-at-sea and access area trips to regulate fishing effort (Target 14.4).
3. Defining total allowable landings for specific management areas to protect regional scallop populations.
4. Allocating observer and research set-asides to enhance scientific knowledge and monitoring, a key component of SDG 14.a.

Supporting Economic Viability and Responsible Production (SDG 8 & SDG 12)

By focusing on the long-term health of scallop stocks, the NEFMC’s actions are designed to provide economic stability for the fishing fleet. This approach aligns with:

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Ensuring a sustainable fishery supports stable livelihoods and contributes to the regional economy.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The framework guarantees that scallops are harvested under a managed system, promoting responsible production patterns and providing a sustainable food source.

Collaborative Governance and Science-Based Decisions (SDG 17 & SDG 14)

The development of FW40 exemplifies a multi-stakeholder approach, crucial for achieving SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• The process involves technical analysis and modeling by the Scallop Plan Development Team, ensuring decisions are grounded in the best available science (SDG 14.a).
• Upcoming meetings of the Scallop Advisory Panel and Scallop Committee, along with a public comment period, ensure a transparent and inclusive governance process that incorporates diverse perspectives.

Long-Term Strategic Vision

The Council’s review of its draft long-term strategic plan and future work priorities demonstrates a commitment to adaptive and forward-looking management. This continuous refinement of management strategies is essential for the sustained achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals related to marine conservation and economic resilience.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water
  • This is the primary SDG addressed. The article focuses entirely on the management of a marine resource—the scallop fishery—through the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC). The core activities described, such as setting catch limits and using scientific data to “maintain stock health,” directly align with the goal of conserving and sustainably using marine resources.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • The article connects the environmental management of the scallop stock to the economic well-being of the fishing industry. The stated effort to refine management approaches that “support fleet stability” indicates a focus on ensuring the long-term economic viability of the fishery, which contributes to sustainable economic growth and employment for those in the sector.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • The article details the institutional framework and governance process used to manage the fishery. The NEFMC, with its Scallop Advisory Panel, Scallop Committee, and public comment periods, exemplifies an effective, accountable, and transparent institution working to manage a public resource through a participatory and responsive decision-making process.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible…
   • The article is a direct example of this target in action. The NEFMC is developing “Framework Adjustment 40 (FW40)” which is a science-based management plan. It explicitly mentions the regulation of harvesting by setting the “overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch, and annual catch limits” to prevent overfishing and “maintain stock health.”
2. Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology… in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries…
   • The process described relies heavily on science. The article notes that the “Scallop Plan Development Team” uses “modeling updates and catch projections” and “technical analyses” to inform the final management measures, which directly reflects the goal of increasing and applying scientific knowledge for sustainable ocean management.
3. Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation…
   • By implementing strict, science-based limits on scallop fishing, the NEFMC’s work aims to ensure that the economic activity of the fishery does not lead to the environmental degradation of stock collapse. This sustainable management is a form of improving resource efficiency, ensuring the resource can be productive for the long term, thereby supporting “fleet stability.”
4. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • The article highlights the participatory nature of the NEFMC’s process. It mentions that “Public registration for both meetings is open” and that “written comments must be submitted by November 14, 2025, for consideration.” This demonstrates an inclusive and responsive approach to governance, allowing stakeholders to participate in the decision-making process.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Target 14.4 (Regulating Harvesting):
   • The article explicitly names several management measures that serve as direct indicators of regulatory efforts. These include:
     • The establishment of an “overfishing limit.”
     • The setting of an “acceptable biological catch” and “annual catch limits.”
     • The allocation of “days-at-sea” and “access area trip allocations.”
     • The definition of “total allowable landings.”
   • The ultimate outcome indicator is implied by the goal to “maintain stock health,” which would be measured by scientific stock assessments.
2. Indicators for Target 14.a (Scientific Knowledge):
   • The article implies indicators related to the use of science in decision-making, such as:
     • The use of “modeling updates and catch projections.”
     • The completion of “technical analyses” by the Scallop Plan Development Team.
     • The allocation of “research set-asides,” which is a direct investment in gathering scientific data.
3. Indicators for Target 16.7 (Participatory Decision-Making):
   • The article points to several process-based indicators that measure the inclusivity of the institutional framework:
     • The holding of public meetings and webinars (“Scallop Advisory Panel and Scallop Committee will meet for a webinar on November 19-20”).
     • The existence of a formal process for public input (“written comments must be submitted”).
     • Public access to the process (“Public registration for both meetings is open”).

4. Table of Identified SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nationalfisherman.com