Aquaculture

Scallop Welfare: Dredging, Diving, and Aquaculture

Welfare overview for scallops -- wild-harvested bivalves subject to intensive dredging with precautionary welfare concerns.

Key Facts

Scallops are bivalve molluscs harvested in massive quantities globally -- particularly in UK, French, and North American waters
Dredge harvesting captures scallops by dragging heavy metal teeth across the seabed
The physical trauma of dredging causes shell damage, tissue injury, and mortality in a significant proportion of the catch
Dive-caught scallops are harvested individually with minimal physical trauma -- a significantly better welfare outcome
Scallop sentience is uncertain -- but they have eyes and show active escape responses to predators
Aquaculture of scallops in suspended nets or sea cages avoids dredging welfare concerns
Dredging also causes massive collateral damage to seabed habitats -- a broader ecological welfare concern
Consumer certification for dive-caught or aquaculture scallops is available from some sustainability schemes

Welfare Significance

Scallop welfare is primarily a concern during harvest. Mechanical dredging causes physical trauma to individual animals and destroys the seabed ecosystem. Dive-caught scallops represent a significantly more welfare-conscious choice. Applying the precautionary principle supports choosing dive-caught or aquaculture scallops over dredge-caught.

What You Can Do

Choose dive-caught or aquaculture scallops rather than dredge-caught where possible
Look for Marine Stewardship Council certified scallops that include harvest method information
Support campaigns for dredging reform and marine protected area expansion
Advocate for dive-caught scallop certification and labelling