No-Take Zones (NTZs) have proved highly beneficial for improving the stocks of UK scallop  fisheries by providing protection from scallop dredgers. As a consequence of Lamlash Bay’s  status as an NTZ, we expect the scallop population within Lamlash Bay to rise dramatically  over the next 10 years. We also expect populations in surrounding areas to become enhanced because as reproduction  within the NTZ increases, more scallop larvae will be generated each year which will drift  with the currents and settle in surrounding areas outside the NTZ boundaries. Furthermore,  a larger proportion of individuals will reach older ages and larger sizes as they will no  longer be removed or damaged by fishing. Older, larger scallops generate massively more  sperm and eggs than smaller, younger scallops, thereby further enhancing recruitment inside  and outside the NTZ.

Leigh Michael Howarth, a Marine Biology student from the University of York, has come to  Arran to conduct the first diver scallop survey within Lamlash Bay to investigate the above  theory. The survey will involve extensive dive surveys along 50m x 3m transects to estimate  scallop density and body size in Lamlash Bay, along with measures of any fish and benthic  organisms (such as maerl) encountered. The survey will also involve calculating scallop  reproductive output which we also expect to increase within the NTZ over the next 10 years.  The survey should take around 2-3 months to conduct and will hopefully become part of an  annual or 2 year monitoring scheme. If you have any questions or comments please email  Leigh at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Photo by Angus Robson