Scallop Ranching in NW Highlands

[megsjockey]

Well other than now needing extra funding to rearm our scallop protection squad of harpoon wielding hunter killer Dogfish to the aforementioned laser equipped Basking sharks!!! We have what is called a Several Order leased to us by the Crown Estate, essentially it allows us sole rights to a specified resource on the seabed over the defined area in our case King Scallops. If other persons where to be caught fishing for King Scallops on our Several Order they can be charged, heavily fined, vessel confiscated and with possible jail time to boot. The old "Oh I didn't know" doesn't fly either as the site is very well marked and is on all Maritime charts and we live with a good overview of the site so keeping an eye out isn't a worry.

Thanks for that. So, you reckon to have 'dominium utile' over prescribed areas of inshore sea-bed. I didn't know such arrangements existed. I also thought that inshore marine fishing rights were regarded as held by the Crown, on behalf of the public. So, I can see how you might keep out the commercial fishers but are you saying you can also stop the public from accessing and utilising that which is held on their behalf? Have there been test cases?

May I add, I'm really hopeful that you will succeed and sorry to come over all cross-examiny? But it is a very interesting set of problems you seem to have, hence my genuine questions. Thanks again for answering.

 

[User00047]

Snagman, what do you intend to do with the funding, should you get it? do you intend to rear the Scallops locally rather than the trip to Norway?

 

[mallettn]

Done - good luck seems a great project

 

[Snagman]

Thanks for that. So, you reckon to have 'dominium utile' over prescribed areas of inshore sea-bed. I didn't know such arrangements existed. I also thought that inshore marine fishing rights were regarded as held by the Crown, on behalf of the public. So, I can see how you might keep out the commercial fishers but are you saying you can also stop the public from accessing and utilising that which is held on their behalf? Have there been test cases?

Hmmm not that I know of but the Several orders are not handed out easily we have just had our's renewed and it as very thorough, I think there's even a bit questioning if it is in the publics interest for the Several order to be granted. As for the Public accessing the Scallops I think it's a bit of a minefield as the Scallops are our property as once spawned in Norway they are not considered Wild stock even though they are exactly the same as their Wild kin it's just that they are bred outwith the natural spawning stock and they are under our duty of care. We can't stop the Public diving on the Several orders but if they remove Scallops paid for and spawned in Norway then grown on Longlines by us until relayed on the seabed I think it would constitute theft but I don't know of any cases of it happening, there is still enough Scallops about for the odd fry in the wild, I can see no legitimate reason that a person or persons would dive on our several order for a quick fry of scallops when they can go down the coast a bit and grab a fry outside the order?

 

[Snagman]

Hi Buckaroo8,

We have a Partnership with a highly regarded marine biologist at Bergen Uni who has been spawning the Scallops for us so far and want's to move his technical expertise and equipment over here and last year we acquired the use of an old Marine Scotland research base about a mile from our Several order where we hope to move the Spawning operation to in the future so that the whole operation is locally based, meaning much safer transport of the Scallops and work for the community. Most of the funding is earmarked for employing people and running costs as we have done all the work ourselves so far using our own Vessels and equipment.

 

[User00047]

Excellent! I wish you every success. You have my vote

 

[DamDama]

Snagman,
Done, good luck, I have dived for scallops many times!

 

[Wingy]

Got my vote, good luck

 

[shakey jake]

Just done mine how can we find your scallops to buy

 

[paul dillon]

All done good luck with it Snagman

 

[bruce w]

i olso wish you every success in your venture ,we found nature got in our way ,algal blooms ,star fish spat settling in the pearl nets and lanterns eating the shells out ,poor years for spat fall, then when all was ready to go with the grown out shells toxins forced closure orders and we couldn't market the shells , there was a living in it just ,shetland has gone into mussel growing in a big way , as to poaching on the leased crown sea bed there was never a problem ,

 

[NigelM]

Done, great to see. Best of luck.

Nigel

 

[paul o']

vote done well done I hope it all works out and you get your dream

 

[Raygreen]

Got my vote , best of luck

 

[private fraser]

Voted.
Looks s good venture.
Atb

 

[rover]

Hi sounds and looks a great venture. What sea loch are you based? does it affect access for sea fishing?
Jim

 

[Snagman]

Hi sounds and looks a great venture. What sea loch are you based? does it affect access for sea fishing?
Jim

Hi Rover, we are based in Loch Ewe and no our site doesn't affect Sea Angling nor should any Several order for King Scallops as they grow best in shallowish water on flat coarse seabed maybe good for the odd flatfish or Ray/Skate I suppose, but Angling on the Several order isn't a problem.

 

[Mauser243]

Good luck.

M

 

[sauer]

I will have to paint my yellow rebreather black!..... The my drone pro & IR & waterproof em .... Them sneak in... No bubbles & try the produce for myself!!
Bet I can get past the dog fish

.......the bacon smell on the beach would be a give away tho.....


Paul

 

[rover]

Hi Rover, we are based in Loch Ewe and no our site doesn't affect Sea Angling nor should any Several order for King Scallops as they grow best in shallowish water on flat coarse seabed maybe good for the odd flatfish or Ray/Skate I suppose, but Angling on the Several order isn't a problem.

Hi Snagman What a lovely place for an office, we are up there around 4 times a year with the M.O D usually stay in the Aultbae Hotel new owners are doing a good job.
Jim