Increase in meat size Less scallops need to be harvested to attain same amount of meatMore scallops allowed to reach maturity could sustain more fishermen.Additionally, the benefits associated with Closures aboveEnforcement: enforcement would be costlyAdministration: see administration section for “Closures” above4. Gear Restrictions: gear restriction measures are aimed at protecting a certain size/ species as well as the benthic environment.A. Limiting technological inputs: helps to reduce fishing effort. May include restrictions on:1. Sizes or Weight of Vessel2. Engine horsepower3. Ring size of dredge4. Size/ Weight of dredges5. Number of dredges6. Dredge length and depth7.Cable lengthProblems: Often, gear restrictions work as a sort of challenge, and fishermen simply figure out a new way to work around the restriction and maintain (or even increase) their efficiency, at cost the natural environment and the scallop population. (Examples include allowing dredge rings to plug up with seaweed, increasing dredge weight, etc.)It is difficult to justify applying the same restrictions to large and small boats The cost of inefficient gear is reflected in the cost to the consumerLarger ring size may force fishermen to make more passes over one area for the same amount of product- resulting in increased habitat damage to the ocean floor.Limiting drag size prevents larger rigs from entering coastal watersThere is no ring size limit for other drag fisheries (urchins, mussels), so undersized scallops are not protectedNeeds some sort of inspection of meat size to ensure that restrictions are having the desired effect, which has the potential of being very difficult or costly to administer/ enforce. Selectivity of dredge is not certain- undersized scallops can still be caught with 3 ” dredgeBenefits:Larger ring size protects juvenile scallops (under 3”) from being harvestedMaking dredges smaller and less efficient decreases...
