Illegal Scallop Dredging Uncovered in Protected Scottish Waters

On Sunday, October 1st, 2025, two boats were caught dredging for scallops in a marine protected area (MPA) in Loch Alsh, Scotland. The incident was spotted by a local creel fisherman, who approached the vessels and informed the skippers that the area had been closed to mobile fishing for the past ten years.

One of the skippers claimed they believed fishing was allowed until October 1st, and both boats promptly hauled up their dredging equipment and left the area. However, the environmental group Open Seas has condemned the "reckless and illegal" dredging, stating that the industry is "out of control" and measures to establish a sustainable management system are not working.

The boat owners say their skippers acted on advice from local fishery officers, but the Scottish government is now investigating the incident. The Loch Alsh MPA is home to a vast habitat of flame shells, a species that is only found in deeper offshore waters, and the local fishing community has made sacrifices to protect the area. This latest incident has been described as a "betrayal" of their efforts to improve the health of the marine environment.