A partnership between marine scientists and fishermen in South West England has uncovered a new environmentally friendly fishing method for catching scallops using innovative illuminated pots which have been dubbed ‘scallop discos’.

Most commercial harvesting of scallops is currently carried out with dredges, a fishing method that is widely reported to cause extensive harm to species and sensitive marine habitats. Scallop dredges pull metal framed nets that are around 85cm wide over the seabed. They are equipped with metal teeth on the front of the dredge which dig deep into the seabed to excavate the scallops. The scallops are then flipped into the nets. This procedure is known to have the most severe ecological effect of all UK marine fisheries because it damages seabeds and the species living on it. As the dredgers are equipped with heavy engines, they can even penetrate rocky reefs.

Scientists have discovered that the recovery of seabeds and ecosystems from scallop dredging can take up to ten years. Biogenic reefs which are reefs that are made up of hard matter created by living organisms like shells, sponges and coral beds, as well as kelp and seagrass beds are often considered the most sensitive habitats. As scallops tend to live there too, dredging activities often occur on these habitats, destroying them along the way. According to a study, published in the ICES Journal of Marine Sciences, on average, 70% of coral-like maerl is removed from an area by a single dredge tow and it takes many decades for the maerl to recover. Another study argues that rocky reefs in Scotland that see scallop dredging hold 30% less fauna than rocky reefs in areas where scallop dredging is banned.

This New Year (January only) you can access EVERY magazine we have ever published for just £12.50! Plus so many more great Hub benefits. Enter code ‘NewYear50’ at checkout. 

In the UK, however, it looks like an alternative to scallop dredging has recently been found. Here, marine scientists have discovered a ‘global first’ that paves the way for the creation of a new low-impact inshore fishery which could reduce the pressure from damaging scallop dredges.

Scientists from Fishtek Marine, a leader in bycatch prevention technology, made the discovery whilst trialling ‘PotLights’ which are small underwater lights used to ‘bait’ crab and lobster pots. They were invented by the Devon-based company to protect fish stocks by replacing the need to use fish to bait pots. Working with Jon Ashworth a fisherman based in Newlyn, Cornwall, Dr Rob Enever and his Fishtek team discovered that the lights, combined with specially modified pots, were attracting unprecedented numbers of scallops in addition to the crabs and lobsters that Jon was targeting.

Scallops have 200 tiny eyes, so the lights proved irresistible to the shellfish. Dr Enever said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes! I was sceptical that it would work, but the first time we hauled the pots and saw the scallops inside we knew we had discovered something significant. It was so exciting that I could hardly sleep for a couple of nights!”

Funding from the UK government’s Seafood Innovation Fund delivered by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and Natural England, allowed further trials in which Dr Enever’s team tested several pot designs and proved the PotLight technique consistently attracts scallops. This discovery is just the beginning of an exciting work programme which, with further development, could transform commercial scallop harvesting.

Fisheries Minister, Victoria Prentis, said: “It is great to see Fishtek Marine benefitting from our Seafood Innovation Fund, and developing a world-first method for catching scallops in an environmentally sustainable way. The funding is supporting innovation, helping industry use cutting edge technology and protecting the marine environment.”

It was so exciting that I could hardly sleep for a couple of nights!

With the help of local fishermen, pot makers and scientists from the Universities of Exeter and York, the team is developing two new pot designs specifically for retaining scallops attracted by the PotLights and is experimenting with different coloured lights. Each small light is powered by two rechargeable AA batteries. They are clipped inside each pot and can be used multiple times.

Results of the trials have now been peer-reviewed and published in the journal ‘Fisheries Research’. Bryce Stewart, senior lecturer at the University of York commented: “This is one of the most exciting research findings I have been involved with in my career. We knew scallops were sensitive to light, but not that they could be attracted in this way. These findings have the potential to provide a valuable and low impact boost to inshore fisheries.”

The project has the potential to make a real difference to the sustainability of the scallop fishery, as Pete Kibel, co-founder and director of Fishtek Marine points out: “The potential of this new approach to scallop harvesting is massive, offering notable benefits to the marine environment while creating a new commercial opportunity to fisheries around the world.”

He added: “Ultimately, the success of the trial is further evidence that collaboration between industry, scientists and government bodies can drive product innovation and underpin sustainable fishing efforts.”

We knew scallops were sensitive to light, but not that they could be attracted in this way.

Jon Ashworth skipper of the FV Three Jays said: “The first day out was just excitement after excitement. Pretty much every pot that we hauled had scallops in them and yet every haul without lights had no scallops. It was conclusive, there and then. To have proven that lights can be used to catch scallops has got to have some awesome implications looking forward.”

Fishtek now plans to work with other inshore fishermen around the UK to develop the scallop potting technique with the aim of establishing a commercially viable low impact fishery.

Watch a video on the new development and see how scallops are attracted to the pots here: 

Enjoy so much more from Oceanographic Magazine by becoming a subscriber. A range of subscription options are available.

Beautiful ocean stories straight to your inbox. Join our community.

WE DONATE 20% OF OUR PROFITS TO OCEAN CONSERVATION, SUPPORTING THE AMAZING WORK BEING DONE BY OUR PARTNER CHARITIES.

Copyright © 2023 CXD MEDIA LTD. All rights reserved

Website design and build by Vertical Leap