Catch yield and selectivity of a modified scallop dredge to reduce seabed impact

Authors
Fenton, M., Szostek, C.L., Delargy, A., Johnson, A.F., Kaiser, M.J., Hinz, H., Hold, N., Sciberras, M.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
PLOS One
Volume (Issue #)
19(5)
Page #s
22
Contact information
Mairi Fenton, mmf13@hw.ac.uk
Heroit-Watt University
Summary

This study tests the impact of skids placed on scallop dredges in various habitats to reduce seabed impact; skids raise the scallop collecting bag 10-11cm off the seabed. The modified skid dredge caught more marketable scallops per unit area, but also retained more bycatch overall and more undersize scallops. Results were habitat specific.

Field Studies

Catch yield and selectivity of a modified scallop dredge to reduce seabed impact

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
Welsh waters (Cardigan Bay, Anglesey) and Scottish waters (Moray Firth)
Target catch
UK king scallop (Pecten maximus)
Effect on bycatch species
increased bycatch
Effect on target catch
increased marketable catch
Bycatch species
Reduction technique