Aquaculture Welfare

Aquaculture Scallop Dredging Welfare

Scallop dredging is one of the most damaging fishing and aquaculture methods. Understanding its welfare and environmental impacts informs better choices.

Key Facts

Bottom dredging kills an estimated 5-25% of scallops not retained in the dredge
Non-retained bycatch species suffer mortality rates of 50-100% from dredging
Diver-caught and hand-raked scallops are significantly more selective
Rope cultivation eliminates seabed disturbance and bycatch welfare impacts
Scallop sentience is uncertain but dredging causes mechanical damage to retained animals

Welfare Considerations

Dredging inflicts mechanical damage on retained scallops and kills large quantities of bycatch species including starfish, sea urchins, and other invertebrates. Whatever their capacity for suffering, the scale of dredging mortality and the availability of less damaging alternatives (diver-caught, rope-cultured) make dredging the least welfare-positive sourcing method for scallops.

What You Can Do

Choose diver-caught or rope-cultured scallops over dredge-caught
Ask fish counters and restaurants about scallop sourcing methods
Support certification schemes that distinguish low-impact scallop methods
Advocate for expansion of rope scallop aquaculture as a sustainable alternative