Argyll Sea Change Economic Assessment

Grantee: Open Seas

Duration: January – September 2025

 

Background

Dredging for scallops, a fishing method whereby metal machinery is dragged along the seabed, is proven to the be the most ecologically damaging of all the UK fisheries. However, this destructive practice is allowed to continue in 90% of Scotland’s inshore waters.

The Scottish Government are responsible for sustainably managing Scotland’s marine environment – yet the current approach to marine protection is proving largely ineffective. Independent research and advocacy is thus crucial to persuade the Government to take more action for the health of marine ecosystems and fish stocks.

The Open Seas Trust are a Scottish charity that campaign for healthier seas, more sustainable seafood, and public good from the public seas. They have successfully secured change in Scotland’s seas – most notably winning in court against Scottish minister for unlawfully licensing scallop dredging.

 

The Project

This £15,000 HIEF grant is going towards a research project that will compare the economic benefits of high-impact (dredging) vs low-impact (hand-dived) scallops in Argyll area.

The research will firstly evaluate current fisheries data of catches and landings, utilising investigative accounting through collaboration with local companies. This overarching aim of the robust assessment will be to assess the economic contributions and losses from the current model of high-impact fishing in Argyll waters, into the Argyll ports; determining the extent to which profits stay within local communities. This will be compared to the economic benefits from low-impact fishing.

Open Seas will work closely with several environmental and fishing groups to ‘sense check’ findings. Findings will be dsitributed to local groups and key stakeholders, and potentially form the basis for future advocacy work.