Electrofishing for razor clams trial: update - February 2021 to January 2022

9. Conclusion

During the fourth trial year, efforts continued to gather and analyse scientific data on a range of biological and fisheries data to achieve the aims of the trial. Analysed data will ultimately provide data for razor clam stock information, harvesting levels and a greater understanding of the electrofishing methods.

The electrofishing for razor clam scientific trial is authorised to continue until 31 January 2024, subject to scientific advice. The derogations authorising the same specific vessels to participate until January 2024 were issued on the 1 February 2022. The terms and conditions of the trial were updated to reflect the new HSE commercial shellfish diving guidance and issued to all participants. Participating vessels in the trial are still subjected to a catch limit (450kg), effort limit (110 days at sea per year) and are required to maintain REM equipment onboard the vessel at all times. Fishers are also required to gather accurate scientific data and to contribute to future monitoring, research and stock assessments when required. This includes the continued live sampling of razors which are sent to MD Science for dissection and analysis and to conduct self-sampling of razor clam length measurements collected at sea or at processors.