Research Document - 2006/079
Effect of the commercial fishery on the Ile Rouge Iceland scallop (Chlamys islandica) bed in the St. Lawrence estuary: assessment of the impacts on scallops and the benthic community
By Archambault, P., and P. Goudreau
Abstract
Many studies have shown that scallop dredging seriously disturb marine substratum. This study was done to evaluate the dredging impact on scallop and benthic communities on the Ile Rouge Icelandic scallop bed, in Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park. The results of photographic sampling and experimental dredging did not showed effects of dredging on benthic communities on this highly dynamic ecosystem (high velocity currents, upwelling zone, etc.). Furthermore, there is no evident sign of a decline in the size of scallops, contrary to many studies around the world and this could be the result of a relatively low fishing effort. The study site, a sandy-gravel substrate with high velocity currents recover in a few months from the impacts of dredging gear.
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