Quote:
| Originally Posted by Richard Mason Because dredging smashes everything, including immature scallops. |
Exactly.
The two closed areas that have been studied, one on the Isle of Man, and the Inshore Potting Agreement area off Salcombe both restrict the use of dredges, but do not ban the take of scallops.
The Inshore Potting Agreement area supports several full time commercial scallop divers (and has done for 20+ years) and a lot of recreational diver collection, but still shows a massive increase in scallop density and size compared to areas that are dredged (as well as a massive increase in other benthic life).
UK commercial (99.99999% dredged) scallop landings are currently about 20 000 tonnes a year, and have been for the last 10 years. This doesn't make a strong case for scallops themselves needing protection, but sensitive habits need protecting from the damage caused by dredgers
cheers
dave
drysuitrepair.co.uk