Pressure Mounts For DEFRA to End Scallop Dredging In Lyme Bay

28th November 2007

Just over 3 weeks remain to save the Bay's coral reefs - one of Britain's most spectacular marine wildlife sites.

Lyme Bay, near the popular tourist resort of Lyme Regis, may be one of the five most significant areas of biodiversity round the English Coast according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Yet time is running out in the battle to save the Bay's reefs and the rich, varied biological communities which they support.

There are now only just over three weeks to go for the public and interested parties to respond to DEFRA's consultation on the future of the Bay, which is off the coast of east Devon and west Dorset. The consultation period now ends on 21st December after new information from the Devon Wildlife Trust has led to DEFRA extending the consultation deadline by a further two weeks.

The reefs are threatened by scallop dredging which destroys both seabed species and the habitats on which they depend.

The Wildlife Trusts, led by the Devon Wildlife Trust, is urging the Fisheries Minister, Jonathan Shaw, not to compromise and to ban the practice over 60 square miles of the reef (Option C below). Only this will effectively protect the vital habitats of the reefs.

The three options for consultation presented by DEFRA are:

1. Continued closure to dredging of four areas of the reefs, about 12 sq miles, either through the existing voluntary agreement or by the introduction of a byelaw or Order;
2. Exclude the use of all towed gear, by either Sea Fisheries Committee Byelaw or Order, in an area of 25 square miles of reef habitat in three discrete blocks;
3. Exclude the use of all towed gear, by either SFC Byelaw or Order, in the 60 square mile area. This affects less than 10% of Lyme Bay.

The reefs are a haven for corals, sponges, sea firs and starfish, and support valuable seafood animals including crabs and lobsters, as well as scallops. In all more than 300 species have been found on Lyme Bay ' s reefs, including the nationally protected pink sea fan and the extremely rare sunset coral, which is found at just 3 other sites around the UK coast.

Just a single pass from a heavy scallop dredge is enough to smash the corals and damage the underlying rock. Scientists estimate that it could take up to 20 years for the reefs to recover from dredging. If scalloping is allowed to continue the area will be damaged beyond repair as the fragile reefs are broken up forever.

The Devon Wildlife Trust is urging members of the public to show their support by sending a postcard to the Environment Minister, Hilary Benn, or to sign the online petition at www.savelymebayreefs.org

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