SCALLOP DREDGING

Early day motion 1209, tabled 15 December 2010 by Baroness Clark of Kilwinning (Labour). Signed by 29 members.

That this House notes with concern the impact which scallop dredging is having on the marine environment; further notes that this practice has only started in recent decades and effectively scrapes the seabed to retrieve scallops but in the process damages other species and marine life; further notes the charted decline of the number of marine species living in the seas and is troubled that excessive scallop dredging is contributing further to this worrying trend; and calls on the Government and devolved administrations to take steps to regulate scallop dredging as a matter of urgency to protect the marine eco system and ensure that the United Kingdom can continue to support a diverse range of marine wildlife off its coasts.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Liberal Democrat 7, Conservative 2, Alliance 1, Green 1, Independent 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.