![]() This study found modest increases in clam recruitment following hydraulic dredging: The researchers also conducted a before-and-after-controlled experiment to look at biodiversity and benthic recovery on Connecticut clam beds. Stokesbury et al.įrom NOAA, the most complete and recent review of literature pertaining to the impacts of mechanical harvest. ![]() © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.:Įnvironmental impacts related to mechanical harvest of cultured shellfish, by Kevin D.E. The following review articles addressing the impacts of mechanical shellfish harvest are worthy of special mention:Ī chapter in the book, Shellfish Aquaculture and the Environment, First Edition. Conversely, others believe that trawling may mimic natural disturbances and stimulate benthic production, thereby enhancing fish production (DeAlteris 2000, MacKenzie 1982, Van Dolah et al. Some consider trawling to physically disrupt the bottom and harm the benthic community by increasing sedimentation and predation exposure, and reducing benthic primary production (Auster and Langton 1998, Bradstock and Gordon 1983, Brown 1989, Collie et al. Many reports and reviews have claimed little or no significant trawling impacts, while others cite devastation and destruction. It is important to understand that the impacts of huge heavy trawls operated in deep waters to capture wild fish or shellfish simply do not apply to the operation of small dredges used inshore to harvest cultured shellfish on leased bottom. One author compared the impacts of trawling with those of clear-cutting (Baulch 1999), stating that “trawling gear devastates the world’s continental shelves.” Others describe “Watery Wastelands” devastated by trawling (Levy 1998).īut in reality, the situation is more nuanced and requires an understanding of the various environments and different types of gear, and how they interact. The issue of dredging on fishing activity in general is quite inflammatory, and a great deal has been published on wild-harvest trawling impacts. ![]() Listed below are links to several articles describing the environmental impacts of mechanical harvest methods, or “dredging” in shellfish aquaculture. ![]()
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