FishDAC - Scallop Survey (Scotland) 2025 - East coast dataset https://portal.medin.org.uk/portal/start.php?tpc=012_Marine_Scotland_FishDAC_12557 Survey to asses scallop stocks on the East coast of Scotland and collect information on relevant fish and shellfish species. a total of 101 stations were surveyed covering thirteen ICES statistical rectangles along the East coast of Scotland from up near Orkney to the Firth of Forth. A total of 11256 scallops were caught (6276 port side and 4989 starboard) and were all measured, aged and assessed for shell damage. Sizes ranging from 2.0 to 17.0 cm. King scallops were aged between 1 and 10 years (note that age ten is a plus group as it is difficult to identify annual age rings in scallops older than age ten) with the highest numbers of scallops aged five and six. All scallops were assessed for damages. Approximately 93% of the scallops caught had a damage index of two (Veale et al., 2001); meaning the edge of the shell was chipped but that the scallop is highly likely to survive. The remainder were assessed as damage level three or four, meaning that the hinge was broken or the scallop was crushed or dead. In addition to king scallops , 861 other individual by-catch (excluding starfish) were identified, measured and assessed for damage. The most numerous by-catch species were brown crab (182 individuals), cuckoo ray (153 individuals) and plaice (129 individuals). A total of 1761 starfish were also identified to species level and assessed for damage with the common starfish (638 individuals), seven armed starfish (288 individuals) and sand star (286 individuals) the most commonly caught. Forty scallops from five ICES statistical squares were collected and frozen for heavy metal and organic contaminants testing. Results will be used to assess scallop tissues and can potentially be used to improve the spatial coverage of regional status and trends of contaminants in biota as part of the UK annual monitoring programme. Marine litter was recorded and retained at every station. This is done routinely as part of monitoring for the UK Marine Strategy (UKMS). On this survey 55 items of litter were recorded and retained from 38 stations, with plastics and fishing items being most common. A request was received for staff to record any deformed king scallops during the survey. None were recovered on this survey. Scientists will continue to take note in future surveys. 20250912