Razor clam trial: annual report 2023-2024
A progress update report on the electrofishing for razor clams scientific trial from 1 February 2023 to 31 January 2024.
2. Introduction
The sixth year of the trial continued the inter-agency cooperation in the limited and regulated fishing for razor clams. Participants are authorised to do so by means of a scientific derogation and this is on a voluntary basis. The trial continued in operation around the Scottish coast at the ten pre-designated sites, the catch limit (450kg/day) and effort limit (110 days at sea per year) remained unchanged. A minimum conservation reference size of 100mm is set for landing razor clams, though in practice participants often favour larger size clams in response to market demand.
The trial continued to gather scientific information on the impact of electrofishing for razor clams. The aim of the trial is to provide evidence on how this fishery can be managed effectively, sustainably and continues to gather a range of biological and fisheries data. The main goals of the trial can be divided into four broad categories; biological and ecological goals, economic goals, social goals and best practice and management goals (Annex A).
The Marine Directorate (MD; formerly Marine Scotland) continued to work in collaboration with the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Food Standards Scotland (FSS), the Scottish Razor Clam Association (SRCA) (an association comprising many trial participants), other trial participants and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This cross-organisational collaborative work resulted in the publication of the ‘Scottish scientific electrofishery for razor clams trial - biological and ecological goals: progress report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)’ on 12 September 2024. Under the trial, 5896 live razor clams were dissected and analysed to determine sex, spawning activity, and length-weight relationships data. The progress report was conducted in cooperation with trial participants.
The MD continued to work closely with participants in the trial, including those not affiliated with SRCA and maintained an open forum, ensuring that contact with the Scottish Government was assured to all participants of the trial.