The impact of water jet dredging for razor clams, Ensis spp., in a shallow sandy subtidal environment

The effects of water jet dredging for Ensis spp. on the seabed and benthos were examined through experimental fishing. Immediate physical effects were apparent, with the dredge leaving visible trenches in the seabed. While these trenches had started to fill after five days, and were no longer visible after 11 weeks, the sediment in fished tracks remained fluidised beyond this period. The majority of the studied infaunal community is adapted morphologically and behaviourally to a dynamic environment, and other than initial removal through dispersal, is not greatly affected by the dredge at the site studied. Species that are likely to be affected (e.g. the heart urchin Echinocarium cordatum, Arctica islandica and other large bivalves) were very rare in infaunal samples, but present in dredge catches, where damage was noted, and ranged on average from 10 to 28% of individuals. Epifauna were scarce in the study area, and unaffected by the fishing, except that epifaunal scavenging species were attracted to the fished tracks. On the evidence of the present and previous studies, it would appear that there was little difference between the biological impact of hydraulic and suction dredging, although the latter may have a greater physical effect (larger trenches).