Top Great Atlantic Scallop Fishing Countries

The Atlantic scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) is a prized bivalve mollusk found primarily along the northwest Atlantic coast, from Newfoundland to North Carolina. Renowned for its sweet, tender meat, the Atlantic scallop supports a lucrative commercial fishery, particularly in the United States and Canada. The United States, especially the New England states like Massachusetts, dominates global landings, with the port of New Bedford, Massachusetts, consistently ranking as the nation’s top scallop port by value. Canada also maintains a significant scallop industry, with key harvesting areas off Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Both countries have implemented strict management measures, such as rotational closures and catch limits, to ensure the sustainability of this valuable resource. While some European nations, such as France and the UK, harvest related scallop species, the Atlantic scallop fishery is most prominent in North America.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.