Scallop fishermen from across the UK are helping scientists and fishery managers with an initiative to produce more accurate maps of seabed habitats.
The environmental concerns over scallop fishing tend to centre around the impact of dredging on sensitive seabed habitats. The lack of adequate information on the nature and distribution of seabed habitats is currently preventing effective management and has resulted in fishery and conservation managers being forced to impose closures on traditional scallop fisheries such as those in Lyme Bay, the Firth of Lorn and most recently Cardigan Bay.
With the help of Dr Andrew Woolmer, a seabed mapping expert, scallop fishermen have begun to collate seabed data of traditional scalloping grounds in Devon and Cornwall, and in Wales, using the powerful acoustic systems already fitted to many of their vessels. The scallop industry is currently developing a Code of Conduct promoting responsible scallop fishing practices that will afford protection to sensitive seabed habitats and species. A key part of this work is to demonstrate how fishermen can themselves provide seabed habitat information.
In a pilot study taking place off the South Devon coast, scallop fishermen have already provided Devon Sea Fisheries Committee with a wealth of seabed data from their own acoustic systems on board their vessels. This data has been used to produce a series of 3D seabed maps showing sensitive reefs and outcrops. These seabed maps are now guiding a series of joint video surveys using Devon SFC's underwater video system. Local fishermen will be assisting in the video surveys by providing vessel and crew time working alongside the Devon SFC officers.
