After several years of trying to dodge their responsibilities, DEFRA and Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee are finally bringing in a byelaw banning scallop dredging in the Falmouth and Helford Special Area of Conservation in order to protect the maerl beds and other sensitive benthic habitats (HOORAY!) This has only finally happened because of the threat of legal action from Europe
The only slight fly in the ointment, is that there is a further proposal to ban the take of scallops by ALL methods within the area
Cornwall County Council - Sea Fisheries News
This would shut off most of the scallop beds in Cornwall accessible to divers, and all those available to freedivers, which to me seems grossly unfair.
The DEFRA consultation for the dredging ban is here
Defra, UK - Consultations - Consultation on measures to protect the Fal and Helford Special Area of Conservation (SAC) from the impacts of fishing with dredges and other towed gear
If you feel strongly about this, I would suggest replying to the DEFRA consultation, supporting the dredge ban, but objecting to a blanket ban on the take of scallops.
The contact email for Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee, who will be discussing the scallop ban at their next meeting is
Enquiries.seafisheries@cornwall.gov.uk
The dredging ban is coming anyway, objecting to the blanket ban will NOT jeopardise the dredge ban.
cheers
dave
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