Fishermen told not to rock the boat in Lyme Bay
Dredgers are 'misunderstood'
Conservationists were also alarmed by the dredgers’ activity, arguing that the heavy metal rakes towed by the trawlers destroyed marine wildlife, smashed up habitats and flattened the topography of the seabed.
Peter Tinsley from Dorset Wildlife Trust said: “We don’t think that use of the sea bed is compatible with the habitat in that area. We’re seeking a ban on scallop dredging out for three miles from the coast throughout the Southern Sea Fisheries Committee district.”
Such a large ban has not materialised, but the scollop dredgers have recently agreed to restrict their activity in certain areas.
But the question remains over how to enforce the new restrictions.
Southwestern Scollopers Association secretary Jim Portus said: “The best form of regulation is one that is promoted by the fishing industry for the fishing industry and that self regulation and voluntary agreements are the best way and the most likely way to get adherence to the regulations.”
