Report finds hand-dived scallops generate "four times" the value of dredged
Low-impact fishing methods generate "significantly greater economic benefit for local communities than more destructive approaches such as dredging and trawling", new research on Argyll’s coast has found.
The research examined the economic impact of four different fishing methods (diving, creeling, trawling and dredging) in Argyll, which is home to some of Scotland’s most valuable inshore fisheries.
It found that, despite creel fishermen landing less than half the volume of seafood compared to trawlers (490 tonnes vs. 1,249 tonnes), creeling generates more value to the economy (£4.66 million Gross Value Added annually, compared to just £3.15 million for trawling).
For scallops the impact was even more pronounced, with a tonne of hand-dived scallops generating four times the revenue of the equivalent produced by dredging (£3,113 GVA per tonne for hand-dived scallops, compared to £849 for those caught by dredging).
The research also found that "far more of the revenue generated from sustainable fishing methods stayed in local communities, supporting jobs and wider services, with creeling owners and crews contributing £1.87 million in annual local re-spending, outperforming the trawling sector by over £600,000 per year.
"For every £1 of scallop caught, dredging retains only £0.43 in the local economy, while diving retains £0.80. That extra cash supports local shops, services, and schools, providing a vital lifeline for rural Argyll communities."
With the Scottish Parliament election approaching, Open Seas called on every party to support enhanced protection for inshore areas.
It explained: "Mobile gear methods, such as trawling and dredging, land higher volumes but are often less selective, more environmentally damaging, and less embedded in local ownership structures. In contrast, low-impact methods like creeling and diving are smaller in scale but typically owned and crewed by local people, with stronger links to nearby processors and suppliers."
Anna Safryghin, research manager at Open Seas, added: “This report shows that, as well as being less damaging to vital marine eco-systems, low-impact fishing methods such as creeling and diving also bring far more benefit to local communities, many of which are in desperate need of support.
“The research shows that income generated from sustainable fishing is also far more likely to stay in local communities - supporting other local businesses, funding services and providing a future for the people that live there.
“Yet, instead of working to safe-guard our inshore seas and protect the future of the communities that rely on them, the Scottish Government has yet again refused to act to stop further destruction, this time until after the election.
“We know what that delay means. More vital habitats lost to destructive fishing methods, more pressure on the businesses which do fish responsibly, and more uncertainty for local communities. We can’t afford to wait. We need every party in the Scottish Parliament to support local businesses and act to protect inshore seas from destruction."
Sarah Doherty, Coastal Communities Network Coordinator, said: “The future of Scotland’s coastal communities is inseparable from the health of the sea. We’ve already seen how low‑impact fisheries can deliver real benefits, with the South Arran Marine Protected Area showing major increases in species richness and an 8.5‑fold rise in king scallops since trawling and dredging were prohibited.
"Long‑term community wealth along the coast will rely on well‑managed, low‑impact fisheries that can sustain livelihoods for generations.
“As we approach Scottish Parliament elections this year, bringing forward measures that protect vital marine habitats, incentivise low-impact fisheries and strengthen coastal communities should remain a priority for all parties.”
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