Study

Effects of scallop dredging on temperate reef fauna

  • Published source details Hinz H., Tarrant D., Ridgeway A., Kaiser M. & Hiddink J. (2011) Effects of scallop dredging on temperate reef fauna. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 432, 91-102.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Cease or prohibit the harvesting of scallops

Action Link
Subtidal Benthic Invertebrate Conservation

Cease or prohibit dredging

Action Link
Subtidal Benthic Invertebrate Conservation
  1. Cease or prohibit the harvesting of scallops

    A replicated, site comparison study in 2007 in six rocky seabed areas in Lyme Bay, English Channel, UK (Hinz et al. 2011) found that areas closed to commercial scallop dredging did not have higher abundances of king scallop Pecten maximus or queen scallop Aequipecten opercularis, compared to areas which remained dredged. There was no significant difference in abundance between closed and dredged areas for king scallops (closed: 25–38; dredged: 27–28 individuals/100 m2) or queen scallops (closed: 41–41; dredged: 80–97 individuals/100 m2). In March and August 2007, six areas within the bay were sampled: three voluntarily closed to scallop dredging since September 2006 (but where static gear fisheries occurred) and three that remained open to scallop dredging. Samples were taken using a video camera (10 recordings/area) towed for approximately 10 minutes in a straight line. Abundances of each scallop species were recorded from the videos.

    (Summarised by: Anaëlle Lemasson & Laura Pettit)

  2. Cease or prohibit dredging

    A replicated, site comparison study in 2007 in six areas of rocky seabed in Lyme Bay, English Channel, UK (Hinz et al. 2011) found that closing areas to scallop dredging had mixed effects on the abundance of invertebrates depending on species, after a year. Abundances were higher in the closed areas, compared to areas that remained dredged, for pink sea fans Eunicella verrucosa (closed: 58 vs dredged: 15 individuals/100 m2), bryozoans Pentapora fascialis (27 vs 9 individuals/100 m2), sponges Axinella dissimilis (5.0 vs 1.4 individuals/100 m2), and spider crabs Maja squinado (1.2 vs 0.3 individuals/100 m2). In contrast, there was no difference in abundance between areas for tunicates (ascidian/sea squirt) Phallusia mammillata (6 vs 12 individuals/100 m2), or edible crabs Cancer pagurus (1 vs 1 individuals/100 m2). In March and August 2007, six areas within the bay were sampled: three voluntarily closed to scallop dredging since September 2006 (but where static gear fisheries occurred) and three that remained open. Samples were taken using a video camera (10 recordings/area) towed for approximately 10 minutes in a straight line. Abundances of six species were recorded from the videos.

    (Summarised by: Anaëlle Lemasson & Laura Pettit)

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