A fishing dredge, also known as a scallop dredge, oyster dredge, etc, is a kind of dredge which is towed along the bottom of the sea by a fishing boat in order to collect a targeted edible bottom-dwelling species. The gear is used to fish for scallops, oysters and other species of clams, crabs, and sea cucumber.[1]. The dredge is then winched up into the boat and emptied.
The dredge is usually constructed from a heavy steel frame in the form of a scoop. The frame is covered with chain mesh which is open on the front side, which is towed. The chain mesh functions as a net.
Early dredges had teeth, called tynes, at the bottom. These teeth raked or ploughed the sand and mud, digging up buried clams. This design was improved by using spring-loaded teeth that reduced bottom snagging, and so could be used over rough ground.[1]
Dredge nets have a coarse mesh in order to let organisms smaller than the target species through. The net catches the larger organisms: in the case of scallop dredging that includes the scallops' predators, such as whelks, starfish and octopus.
In some cases several dredges are attached to a wheeled rigid axle in groups of three or four. A number of these dredges can be towed from a heavy spreading bar, usually one from each side of the vessel. The length of the bar and number of dredges towed depends on the power of the vessel and the room on the side deck for working the dredges. The number might be 3 on each side on a small 10 metre boat up to 20 on each side for a 30 metre vessel with 1500hp.[2] The great weight and strength of the gear can disturb the ground it is towed over, overturning rocks and dislodging and crushing organisms in its path.[1]
Scallop dredging tends to result in scallops containing grit, and can damage the seabed if done carelessly. So these days scallop dredging is often replaced by scuba diving. Like a better mouse trap, there is still a challenge for inventors to produce a kinder and more gentle scallop dredge.[3]
See also
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Scallop dredge |
Notes
References
- Moore, G, Jennings, S and Croxall, J (2000) Commercial Fishing: The Wider Ecological Impacts. British Ecological Society. ISBN 0632056088
- National Research Council (US) (2002) Effects of Trawling and Dredging on Seafloor Habitat. Committee on Ecosystem Effects of Fishing. ISBN 0309083400
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