By-catch from Annual AFBI Irish Sea & North Channel King Scallop Dredge Research Surveys 2016 - 2018

Cruises are carried out on board the RV Corystes using dredges that are similar to those used in commercial fisheries. The areas dredges during these cruises are established stations sampled during previous surveys in additional to any other areas which are of commercial interest and data are added to a time-series data-base. The general objectives of these studies are: • To study spatial variability in population structure and abundance of scallops (Pecten maximus) and by- catch species. • To obtain information on temporal trends of population structure of scallops. Each dredge is towed for approximately 30 minutes. Towing speed across the ground varies with weather and tide but is an average of 3 knots.