The sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) lives in groups called 'beds', on sandy or gravel ocean bottoms, at depths from 10 to 300 meters (Perennia, 2023). 

Sea scallops are fished using dredges with sizes varying between inshore and offshore fisheries. For SFA 29 SubAreas, these beds are fished as part of the inshore fleet. The Scallop Fishing Area 29 encompasses a large area inside the 12-mile territorial sea and is managed in distinct SubAreas (A through E) which align with habitat suitability regions (DFO, 2023). 

The Nova Scotia scallop fisheries are managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) using various control measures (Harvest Control Rules) and management measures including size and meat counts, seasonal / area closures, individual transferable quota systems and annually set TACs per each SubArea. The Science Response Report team through the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) provides updates on this stock in the Scallop Fishing area (29) and is managed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada (DFO, 2023).