Traditionally, wild caught scallops are primarily fished using dredges and trawls. Due to their penetrative nature, the interaction of this towed gear with the seabed can cause significant damage to sensitive marine habitats and species. Diver caught scallops have been a low impact alternative source, however, this sector can only supply limited quantities due to logistical constraints.

An unusual technique for catching scallops that was stumbled upon accidentally by scientists during research supported by the Seafood Innovation Fund could potentially reduce some of the damage caused to the seabed by fishing.

The marine scientist Dr Rob Enever and his team at Fishtek Marine, a fisheries consultancy based in Devon, designed small underwater “potlights” to help protect fish stocks by replacing the need to use fish to bait crab and lobster pots.

The lights were supposed to attract crabs into the pots. But quite unexpectedly, scallops, which can have up to 200 eyes, were more attracted to the LED lights. “It’s like a scallop disco – illuminate the trap and they come in. It’s astonishing that no one else has discovered this before. It’s quite an exciting find,” said Enever.

Enever hopes scallop potting could create a low-input, low-impact fishery that supplements the income of crab and lobster fishers with this high-value catch.

Simple and inexpensive modifications to existing crustacean pots present fishers the opportunity to augment their existing crustacean catches with a low environmental impact, premium scallop product.

The Guardian report on this story can be read here

To read the paper published in Fisheries Research Click here