Most of the areas in and around Shetland have been closed to scallop dredging to protect important species under EU habitats directive. At stretch 25 square kilometers of areas where mearl, horse mussel or eel grass beds have previously been identified will now be out of bounds. As the habitats could be disturbed by dredge fishing activity, a minimum distance “buffer zone” of 50 metres has been installed around beds, although for large beds and some shallow voes this has been extended to hundreds of metres.
In addition to this fishermen have also agreed to avoid locations where there are unconfirmed reports of others, and from their own knowledge of Shetland waters to report beds that have not been officially defined so that they can be incorporated into agreement in the future. At its meeting on 2nd September the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO) board unanimously agreed to take forward the initiative.
SSMO fisheries manager Jennifer Mouat said it was a policy which would not only protect important marine habitats but demonstrate the ongoing pro-active approach to fisheries management in Shetland. NAFC head of marine science and technology Martin Robinson said that it is good news that the centre has been able to support the SSMO and its members in taking these steps toward preserving some of the important habitats around Shetland.
