Image for Scientists accidentally discover ‘scallop discos’ as an eco-friendly fishing method

Scientists accidentally discover ‘scallop discos’ as an eco-friendly fishing method

In a bizarre lightbulb moment, scientists have stumbled on a new way of catching scallops: underwater disco lights

In a bizarre lightbulb moment, scientists have stumbled on a new way of catching scallops: underwater disco lights

Almost 30,000 tonnes of scallops are landed by the UK fleet each year, according to government statistics. Hitherto, catching them has come at a huge environmental cost. 

Large-scale commercial scallop harvesting uses dredges to scrape the shellfish from the sea bed – a practice that damages sensitive habitats and other species. Getting scuba divers to do the job by hand is time consuming and expensive.

Researchers from the University of York were working with Devon-based fisheries consultancy Fishtek Marine to devise a new way of catching crab and lobster when they made their remarkable scallop discovery.

Instead of wasting fish stocks by baiting crab pots, they tried using LED lights as lures on fisheries off the Cornish coast. But although the marine crustaceans failed to fall for the ruse, scallops – which have excellent vision and up to 200 eyes – did.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was sceptical that it would work, but the first time we hauled the pots and saw the scallops inside, we knew we had discovered something significant,” said Fishtek Marine’s Dr Rob Enever, lead author of the study. “It was so exciting that I could hardly sleep for a few nights.”

The idea has undergone further tests using funding from Natural England and the UK government’s Seafood Innovation Fund. It revealed that scallops do indeed find the lure of disco lights irresistible.

It is hoped the discovery will lead to new, less invasive commercial fishing methods.

Main image: Dimitris Vetsikas

Help us continue to break the bad news bias

Positive News is helping more people than ever to get a balanced view of the world – one that supports their wellbeing and empowers them to make a difference towards a better future. And as our audience and impact grows, we’re showing the rest of the media that good news matters.

But the UK’s cost of living crisis is affecting our income, with fewer people able to commit to a magazine subscription – which has traditionally been our main source of funding. Plus, paper and printing costs keep rising.

We don’t want to put a paywall on our website, because we believe everyone should have the chance to benefit from good news. But we won’t be able to continue funding our online reporting without your help.

If you value what we do and can afford to, please consider making a one-off or regular contribution as a Positive News supporter. We need 1,000 readers to contribute just £3 per month to get us through this challenging time.

And remember, as a not-for-profit, we work only in service to you, and all funds go towards our journalism.

SUPPORT POSITIVE NEWS NOW

Related articles