Marine_Scotland_FishDAC_12475 eng dataset Scottish Government (Marine Scotland) +44 (0)300 244 4000 marinescotland@gov.scot pointOfContact 2025-12-08 MEDIN Discovery Metadata Version 2.3.7 urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326 OGP FishDAC- Scottish Scientific Electrofishery for Razor Clams Trial 2023-11-14 publication Marine_Scotland_FishDAC_12475 The electrofishing for razor clams trial officially started in February 2018 (after public consultation in 2016) and is currently extended to January 2025. Marine Directorate (formerly Marine Scotland Science (MSS)) are responsible for the biological and ecological goals. These goals are to gather local level information on razor clam populations and stocks, including accurate data gathered by trial participants to supplement stock survey work; provide advice on sustainable harvesting levels; and, to investigate the impacts of the electrofishing method on target and non-target species. Scottish Government (Marine Scotland) +44 (0)300 244 4000 Mailpoint 11, Area 1B South, Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH6 6QQ United Kingdom marinescotland@gov.scot pointOfContact Scottish Government (Marine Scotland) +44 (0)300 244 4000 Mailpoint 11, Area 1B South, Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH6 6QQ United Kingdom marinescotland@gov.scot custodian Scottish Government (Marine Scotland) +44 (0)300 244 4000 Mailpoint 11, Area 1B South, Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH6 6QQ United Kingdom marinescotland@gov.scot distributor Marine Scotland 01312442733 Marine Scotland Science 375 Victoria Road Aberdeen AB119DB Lynda.Blackadder@gov.scot originator Not Planned Marine Environmental Data and Information Network Fishing effort Shellfish reproduction SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2018-12-12 revision Fisheries and aquaculture SeaDataNet Parameter Disciplines 2017-02-03 revision Habitats and biotopes Species distribution GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2009-07-31 revision Commercial fish and shellfish populations are healthy Sea-floor integrity supports ecosystem Marine Strategy Framework Directive descriptors 2017-02-25 revision The following attribution statement must be used: Contains information from the Scottish Government (Marine Scotland) licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. otherRestrictions no limitations to public access 200.00 eng biota boundaries environment geoscientificInformation oceans -8 -2 54.5 58.5 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 43E2 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 44E2 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 41E3 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 42E3 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 45E3 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 40E4 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 43E4 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 38E5 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 39E5 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 40E5 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 41E7 SeaDataNet vertical extent keywords 2010-01-01 revision The correct value is not known to, and not computable by, the sender of this data. However, a correct value probably exists. 2018-08-01 2026-01-30 Electrofishing for razor clams trial- year 4 annual update report (www.gov.scot), Marine Scotland Update: Electrofishing for razor clams trial (1 February 2020 – 31 January 2021) (www.gov.scot), Update: Electrofishing for razor clams trial (1 February 2018 – 31 January 2019), Update: Electrofishing for razor clams trial (1 February 2019 – 31 January 2020), Update - 1 February 2022 to 31 January 2023 Report Link https://scotland.shinyapps.io/sg-razor-clam-trial/ Reference info #0 https://www.gov.scot/publications/progress-biological-ecological-goals-scottish-scientific-electrofishery-razor-clams-trial/ Reference info #1 https://dx.doi.org/10.7489/12475-1 DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.7489/12475-1 TBC offlineAccess NA offlineAccess NA offlineAccess NA offlineAccess https://data.marine.gov.scot/dataset/progress-biological-and-ecological-goals-scottish-scientific-electrofishery-razor-clams-1 download dataset The scientific trial of electrofishing for razor clams commenced on 1 February 2018. The trial was authorised following public consultation and in light of scientific research which demonstrated that the electrofishing method is highly selective, produces high quality product with zero bycatch and is less intrusive than traditional methods, like dredging. The trial aims to help understand the potential economic impact of the industry and provide useful evidence on how this fishery can be managed effectively and sustainably. The limited number of vessels participating in the trial are equipped with electronic monitoring equipment to record fine-scale spatial data on fishing activity (i.e. the fishery footprint) and are authorised to electrofish for razor clams in defined areas. The vessels are subject to landings (output) and effort (input) limits, and are required to report catches on a daily basis to monitor landings per effort unit (LPUE). All other commercial fishing for razor clams is prohibited in Scotland. Data from a variety of sources continues to be gathered and analysed. Laboratory based programmes have been set up to improve biological data on the species and are supported by samples provided by the fishermen. All the findings from the trial will be considered before any decision is made about the future approach to electrofishing for razor clams in Scotland.