2024 November University of Plymouth (UoP) Isles of Scilly Grab Sampling Baseline Survey

A new byelaw is expected to be passed which will close 43% of the Isles of Scilly district to bottom-towed fishing gear. The byelaw will allow permits to be distributed to up to six fishing vessels to use otter trawl and scallop dredge. The grounds around Scilly have not been trawled for over a decade, however there is now renewed interest to fish the water around Scilly. This creates a unique opportunity to conduct a Before-After-Control-Impact study on the impacts of bottom-towed fishing gear. This data set comprises of marine infauna and sediment size quantified in 2024 November at sites to the east of the Isles of Scilly. Due to inclement weather the survey was postponed after four samples were completed. Three replicates were collected at one site outside of the byelaw extension (Impact site), and one sample was collected a site will falls under the byelaw extension (Reference site).