A difficult type of fishing

Fishing for scallops is done using a dragnet.

The dragnet is a device which scrapes along the sea-floor, having a rake-shaped blade at the front and a metal bag behind. As in the case of all fishing equipment which is dragged along, the dimensions of the dragnets are subject to very strict regulations. They are equipped with teeth mounted on the underside of the net frame, which scrape the sandy sea-bed. The scallops which are caught pass onto a mat composed of metal rings linked together. The weight of the dragnets enables them to sink quite deeply into the sediment. Because of this, they are quite dangerous to use; if they catch on something on the sea bed, the backward pull on the fishing boat can be very significant.

As regards the length of the dragnet and the distance over which the net is pulled, each skipper decides on what he thinks is best. When the dragnet is pulled in, the mat must be attached to the winch, and the scallops emptied onto the deck. The dragnet is put back into the water and the scallops are sorted quickly, before the next catch is hoisted aboard.
The sorting is done using a sizing gauge, and the scallops less than 10.2 cm in diameter are thrown back into the sea. Then the scallops must be put into sacks, and the deck be washed down, and the crew will wait for their turn at the fish auction to put their catch ashore.