Lyme Bay Reefs and scallop dredging

[Peter Tinsley]

I'm looking for evidence of damage to the seabed from scallop dredging in Lyme Bay, particularly how this has changed over time. I'd be especially interested to hear from anyone who dives here regularly and can comment on the recent increase in scalloping activity.
Specific observations most useful, with dates/times/positions. Photos/videos especially useful.

[Patrick Farrell]

I have lived & dived in the lyme regise area for 20 years over that time the bottom has become a ploughed field thanks to the scallop dredgers
You used to see sea fans & lots of small life plus crab & lobsters
Now even the low reefs such as Eastern Heads, is smashed up thanks to rock hopping gear.
We used to find very large scallops this year all I have found are ones that are barely legal to take
The sooner scallopers are banned inshore the better

[Alan Ewart]

Peter,

Firstly welcome to the BSAC forums, I believe you have a huge amount to contribute here.

I did a seasearch course with you a couple of years ago, and have helped out occassionaly with the seafan surveys etc. (I'm making the assumption that you are the Dorset Sea search co-ordinator??)

Are there plans to survey the damage on sea search dives?

Could BSAC branches assist with this?

It seems to me that whilst this issue is receiving national attention that maybe BSAC branches and the BSAC in general could get involved. Not only would this assist your data gathering, but it would raise the profile of BSAC & sea-search.

I'm sure there are many people here who would like to help, but that help could really be doing with being coordinated in some way.

How about a Lyme Bay survey weekend in the manner of Steve's big red bash.

How about a Lyme Bay big Green bash??

What say you fellow posters???

[Adrian Kelland]

Peter,

Firstly welcome to the BSAC forums, I believe you have a huge amount to contribute here.

I did a seasearch course with you a couple of years ago, and have helped out occassionaly with the seafan surveys etc. (I'm making the assumption that you are the Dorset Sea search co-ordinator??)

Are there plans to survey the damage on sea search dives?

Could BSAC branches assist with this?

It seems to me that whilst this issue is receiving national attention that maybe BSAC branches and the BSAC in general could get involved. Not only would this assist your data gathering, but it would raise the profile of BSAC & sea-search.

I'm sure there are many people here who would like to help, but that help could really be doing with being coordinated in some way.

How about a Lyme Bay survey weekend in the manner of Steve's big red bash.

How about a Lyme Bay big Green bash??

What say you fellow posters??? It's possible Alan.

Some of us in Exeter have just started Seasearch stuff with Sally Sharrock, our local coordinator. She mentioned Totnes have been doing a bit their way too.

We were thinking of doing a regular survey of our corner of Lyme Bay. I did discuss with Sally area where there might be gaps in their data.

Freshly caughts lobsters and scallops on the BBQ afterwards? :eek::D

Adrian

[Peter Tinsley]

Thanks for that, Alan

What you say about BSAC branches/BSAC itself getting involved is timely. Divers are the only ones who can see the damage to the seabed, and if they don't shout about it, who will. A few local divers have provided evidence and
Seasearch records, particularly from last year, have helped show that scallop dredgers damage seabed life (seems obvious, but proof is needed). I think the fact that the dredges damage the bottom is accepted, but the scallopers are arguing that, because there are still areas in Lyme Bay that conservationists consider worth saving, and that they've been fishing there for years, then they can't really be causing a problem. What we need is evidence that changes in fishing practice over the years, and particularly a dramatic increase in the number of boats and time spent fishing over the last year, is causing unprecedented damage. A Lyme Bay survey weekend would be a great idea, especially if something could be arranged quickly. I don't have access to a handy boat for Lyme Bay, but if any local clubs can help out... Noted your post about filling spaces, though

[Ben Panter]

Hi Peter,

You might want to get in touch with David Ainsley who skippers the Porpoise II (http://www.divescotland.com/) out of Seil Island up near the Garvellachs. He's very interested in the impact of dredgers on the seabed and an avid videographer - he might have some suggestions for you.

Cheers,

Ben

[Adrian Kelland]

Peter,

Could you add a bit of detail regarding your interest. Then we can know if this is a private interest or more professional in nature. Not that it makes much difference to the results, but it is nice to know who to call on if we ever want help.

Adrian

[Peter Tinsley]

Peter,

Could you add a bit of detail regarding your interest. Then we can know if this is a private interest or more professional in nature. Not that it makes much difference to the results, but it is nice to know who to call on if we ever want help.

Adrian

Adrian

I work for a wildlife conservation charity (Dorset Wildlife Trust) and we are supporting a recent request from English Nature (the government's statutory advisor on nature conservation) to Defra for an emergency stop order banning scallop dredging within an area of Lyme Bay where the reef habitat is most prevalent. This is because of the damage being caused to long-lived, slow growing species such as seafans and sponges, and the reef habitat. I'm looking for evidence to support the request from EN.
A couple of divers have contacted either the Wildlife Trust or English Nature asking for something to be done about this, but we need direct evidence - numbers of boats fishing, where, when, damage to the seabed - especially with photos, changes noted over time.
I hope I'm not abusing the Forum, but this seemed like the quickest way to reach people

[Adrian Kelland]

Adrian

I work for a wildlife conservation charity (Dorset Wildlife Trust) and we are supporting a recent request from English Nature (the government's statutory advisor on nature conservation) to Defra for an emergency stop order banning scallop dredging within an area of Lyme Bay where the reef habitat is most prevalent. This is because of the damage being caused to long-lived, slow growing species such as seafans and sponges, and the reef habitat. I'm looking for evidence to support the request from EN.
A couple of divers have contacted either the Wildlife Trust or English Nature asking for something to be done about this, but we need direct evidence - numbers of boats fishing, where, when, damage to the seabed - especially with photos, changes noted over time.
I hope I'm not abusing the Forum, but this seemed like the quickest way to reach people
Not at all Peter, and thank you for adding this information. I knew who you worked for, but the majority of the forum would not have known.

Lets hope that something will be done for the long term benefit of the reefs.

Adrian

[Alan Ewart]

Peter,

Spoke to some guys from one of my branches last night who expressed an interest in helping out with a survey weekend.

We could tow a (large) Rib down from Poole. The boat has a busy season, but maybe we could arrange something.

Give me an idea of some dates.

Alan