25 Aug 2026
Photo by Rob Wicks The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has launched a dedicated GOV.UK page to keep the public, industry and scientists updated on the ongoing common octopus bloom in South West England, pulling together sightings data, research updates and monthly landings figures in one place. Since 2025 there has been a marked rise in sightings […]
26 Mar 2024
Draft legislation requiring Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) on scallop dredge and large pelagic vessels in Scottish waters have been introduced in Parliament. Marine Directorate Scotland has stated that the implementation of ‘The Sea Fisheries (Remote Electronic Monitoring and Regulation of Scallop Fishing) (Scotland) Regulations 2024’ will oversee a crucial role in supporting more sustainable fisheries […]
27 Jun 2023
A decision taken by Marine Scotland last year to vary sea fishing licences for vessels using methods believed to be harmful to marine life has been branded unlawful by a judge. The Court of Session in Scotland has ruled that the Scottish Government’s current approach to licencing of scallop dredging, and bottom-trawling is “unlawful”. Lord […]
20 Jun 2023
A Marine Management Organisation investigation using aerial surveillance, Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) records and analysis of e-log and sales note information resulted in the owner and master of a vessel admitting a total of seven charges at Plymouth magistrates. The court was told the vessel was spotted and photographed fishing for scallops in the closed […]
23 May 2023
A campaign group’s legal challenge to the Scottish Government over fishing techniques which it says are destroying the seabed has got under way at Scotland’s highest civil court, STV reported. Open Seas, which works to protect and improve the marine environment, claims the Government’s licensing of scallop-dredging in Scottish waters is causing significant damage to […]
31 Jan 2023
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO), acting on behalf of all four UKFAs, is seeking views on proposals to close UK waters in the ICES area 7d and Lyme Bay in ICES area 7e to the king scallop (Pectens maximus) dredge fishery in summer of 2023. The proposed closures are to protect the stock during spawning […]
24 May 2022
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 […]
17 Nov 2020
Thanks to Bryce Beukers-Stewart for forwarding this information. The paper can be accessed here The Conversation ‘Shellfish such as scallops, mussels and oysters – bivalve molluscs – readily take up tiny specs of metals into their tissues and shells. In sufficient concentrations this can harm their growth and survival chances, and even threaten the health of any […]
