Mainstreaming habitat management objectives in an ecosystem-based approach to management of scallop fisheries

Scallops are a high-value resource and support major demersal fisheries, particularly in the UK where they are the third most valuable landed species (£60 million in 2024). This study contrasts regional variations in scallop fisheries management in the British Isles compared to the management strategies found in global scallop fisheries that are either Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified or uncertified fisheries. Core management measures adopted across all fisheries in this study were the requirement for a fishing license, the recording of catch data, and the enforcement of penalties for regulatory violations. The three main fisheries management measures that differentiated MSC certified fisheries from uncertified fisheries were: adaptive management, the implementation of stock assessments to inform harvest limits and total allowable catch (TAC). Considering the well-understood direct physical impacts of scallop dredging on seabed habitats, it was surprising that while some management measures indirectly protected seabed habitats, few were exclusively designed for this purpose. The review highlights the need for a more explicit ecosystem-based management approach, emphasising seabed habitat protection and recognising their role as vital for key life history stages such as spat settlement. This approach would align conservation with industry goals, fostering environmental sustainability and long-term scallop abundance.