The Tasmanian scallop fishery targets the commercial scallop (Pecten fumatus), one of three species naturally occurring in Tasmania. Scallops are harvested commercial utilising a benthic scallop dredge, which is towed along the sea floor and scallops scooped into the dredge.

The Tasmanian scallop fishery extends to 200 nautical miles from the Tasmanian coast, with the exception of Bass Strait, where its jurisdiction covers 3-20 nautical miles offshore, see map below.

The fishery is managed by an individual transferable quota (ITQ) program along with several input controls. The Tasmanian scallop fishery utilises a spatial approach to stock management referred to as a “paddock" fishing strategy, whereby all State waters are closed to fishing, except certain areas (paddocks) that are deemed to meet the opening criteria, limiting the impacts of scallop dredging to the smallest area possible.

Spatial separation exists between the commercial dredge scallop fishery and recreational scallop fishery, where a scallop dredge can't be deployed in waters less than 20m deep.

Each year the scallop fishery undergoes a process of scallop surveys, comprising exploratory surveys where scallop fishers search for viable commercial scallop beds.  Once a viable scallop bed or area has been identified it is subjected to a targeted survey designed to collect information such scallop size frequency, scallop density and biomass. This information is used to make recommendations regarding an open area.​.

Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery (BSCZSF)​