 Licensees are constrained to operate only during scallop season, which generally runs from 1 April to 30 June, and are also subject to restrictions on gear design, boat size and crew numbers.Scallop fishers mainly operate east of the Houtman Abrolhos and between the island groups, in waters deeper than 30 metres.Activity is targeted at sheltered areas of bare sand, where scallops tend to settle.