In October 2024, Fisheries NZ conducted a camera and dredge survey to estimate scallop abundance across key scallop beds in the Coromandel scallop fishery. The survey findings provided evidence of some localised scallop population recovery since the last surveys in 2021 in Eastern Coromandel and in Whangarei Harbour, but there was no evidence of recovery elsewhere.

Recovery of scallops is highly variable and is dependent on suitable habitat and high densities of scallops to produce juvenile scallops, as well as suitable environmental conditions.

Fisheries NZ suggest that it could take several years until Coromandel scallop populations have rebuilt to a level that will restore ecosystem function while providing for all harvest and future generations needs.

Sources – Camera, dive and dredge surveys of scallops in SCA 1 and SCA CS, 2024. Fisheries NZ. March 2025