Evaluation of a modified scallop dredge's ability to reduce the likelihood of damage to loggerhead sea turtle carcasses

In 2003 and 2004 the scallop industry, Coonamessett Farm, and the Virginia Institute of Marine Fisheries, with funding from the NOAA Fisheries Service, successfully tested a series of chains that excluded turtles from entering the dredge bag. After further consultation with the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and with additional funding, Coonamessett Farm was awarded a contract to redesign the dredge frame to reduce the probability of a turtle on the seafloor going under the dredge frame. In collaboration with the Harvesting Systems and Engineering Branch of NOAA Fisheries Service, divers videoed the results of placing turtle carcasses in the path of a modified scallop dredge. Twelve trials were completed, and turtle carcasses went over the dredge in all but three trials. Damage was assessed as "slight or none" in all valid assessments of damage to a carcass following an encounter. by Henry O. Milliken, Lisa Belskis, William DuPaul, Jeff Gearhart, Heather Haas, John Mitchell, Ron Smolowitz, and Wendy Teas "April 2007." Includes bibliographical references (page 6).