Scientists studying the multi-million-pound scallop industry have sailed with fishermen in the English Channel as they seek ways to sustainably manage our seas in the future.
The Prince Madog, Bangor University’s research vessel, spent time at sea as part of the three-year study of the English Channel scallop fishery.
In the UK, 58,000 tonnes of scallops are caught each year, and are worth £69m at first sale alone. The retail and restaurant value is significantly greater.
Scientists at Bangor University say that, despite their economic importance to the UK fisheries sector, not enough is known about scallop fisheries.
The university has hosted a three-year PhD study of the English Channel scallop fishery to help plug the knowledge gap in a project funded by a consortium of fish processors, fishing companies, the supermarket Morrisons and the charity Fishmonger’s Hall.
Professor Michel Kaiser, the lead supervisor on the project, said: “This PhD is significant for a number of reasons, not least because it shows how fishing interests now appreciate more than ever the importance of good science to underpin the future of their businesses.
“This is also hugely important to the UK as a whole, as more people question how safe and sustainable our food sources really are.”
Mark Greet, chief executive of project sponsors Falfish Ltd, said: “An unsustainable scallop fishery is bad for business and we were being held back by a lack of science on this fishery. The long-term aim is to put the fishery forward for Marine Stewardship Council certification.
“While this may be some way off, the project puts in place many of the key elements needed and we now know far more about scallops in the English Channel as a result of Bangor University’s science.
“We now better understand the distribution of scallop fishing across the English Channel and the specific habitat types in which scallop fishing occurs. We also have better insights into when and where the scallops spawn at different times of the year.
“I believe that other parts of the UK’s fishing industry can also learn some valuable lessons from this research, including the importance of collaborating with others in the industry to commission research which will benefit us all in the future.”
PhD student Claire Catherall said: “This project has depended heavily on the support of individual fishermen along the English Channel who have accommodated me on their boats and allowed me to study their catches.
“Fishermen have been very willing to answer questionnaires on patterns in their fishing behaviour and have been very open in providing access to their vessel tracks so we can map which areas of the sea are affected by scallop fishing.”