Distribution and damage to the by-catch assemblages of the northern Irish Sea scallop dredge fisheries

Published source details Veale L.O., Hill A.S., Hawkins S.J. & Brand A.R. (2001) Distribution and damage to the by-catch assemblages of the northern Irish Sea scallop dredge fisheries. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 81, 85-96.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Modify the design of dredges Action Link

Modify the design of dredges

A replicated, paired, controlled study in 1994–1995 in 13 soft seabed sites in the northern Irish Sea, Isle of Man (Veale et al. 2001) found that scallop dredges with shorter teeth caused similar damage to unwanted invertebrate catch, compared to dredges with longer teeth. The damage sustained by unwanted invertebrates was similar when caught in the dredge with shorter and longer teeth (results not shown). A modified dredge design, with shorter teeth and smaller belly ring, was compared to a traditional design (Newhaven with spring-teeth). In 1994 and 1995, up to 13 fishing grounds were surveyed in June and October (at the start and end of the closed fishing season for great scallops Pecten maximus). In each area, one boat simultaneously towed a group of four modified dredges, and a group of four traditional dredges over 2 nm (one group on either side). Unwanted invertebrate catch (crabs, starfish, urchins, whelks, bivalves, hermit crabs, octopus) was sorted to species level, counted, and given a damage score (1= no visible damage, 4= crushed/dead).

(Summarised by: Anaëlle Lemasson & Laura Pettit)