Isle of Man queen scallop trawl

MSC status

Certified as sustainable in May 2011.

Summary

Species:  Queen scallop (Aequipecten opercularis)
Location:  Irish Sea, ICES Area VIIa
Fishing methods:  Demersal otter trawl
Vessels: 27
Number of fisheries: 1

More about queen scallop

The queen scallop is a medium sized scallop that grows to a maximum shell height of about 90 mm. It is a commonly exploited species in the Northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean and Adriatic with an approximate latitudinal range of 30°N to 70°N. It occurs from the shallow subtidal down to about 180m but is most common in water of 20-45m. It is commonly found on bottoms of clean firm sand, fine gravel or sandy gravel, sometimes with an admixture of mud.

More about the fishing methods

Trawls catch queens when they swim up off the seabed, so are more effective during the summer months when the water is warmer and the queens are more active.

Fishery tonnage

3,979 tonnes per annum.

Commercial market

Main markets would be domestic, UK and other EU markets.

Actual eligibility date

21st September 2010