Marine

Wild Scallop Dredging Welfare and Habitat Destruction

Scallop dredging causes severe physical damage to seabed habitats and non-target species bycatch. Dive-caught scallop alternatives eliminate habitat destruction and reduce welfare harm.

Key Facts

Scallop dredging removes 20-40% of the seabed fauna it contacts as bycatch
Habitat destruction through dredging removes complex structure that supports hundreds of species
Dive-caught scallops are more expensive but eliminate habitat damage
Hand-dived scallops from Scotland and Orkney carry certification schemes

Welfare Considerations

Scallop dredging welfare harms encompass the bycatch of crabs, urchins, starfish and small fish crushed or damaged in dredging operations, alongside destruction of the biogenic habitat that supports hundreds of species.

What You Can Do

Choose hand-dived scallops from certified responsible sources
Ask restaurants about their scallop sourcing method
Support Marine Conservation Society guidance on sustainable shellfish purchasing