Fishermen told not to rock the boat in Lyme Bay
Fishermen have agreed to stop dredging for scollops in certain areas of Lyme Bay, but there are concerns that the new voluntary restrictions will not be enforced.
Until recently Lyme Bay was a battleground where dredgers, scallop divers, lobster potters and conservationists fought over the seabed.
Previous attempts to restrict dredging in specific areas in the bay failed when the voluntary agreement broke down.
Lobster fisherman David Sales has worked the Dorset and Devon coast for over 40 years. He said: “Two years ago it just went out the window. The scalopers came here, they couldn’t care less, they went everywhere, it doesn’t matter where it was, they tried it.
“They caused endless mayhem amongst the local fishermen because they towed their gear away, they created hassle.”
