Slipper Limpet Utilisation and Management
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Port of Truro Oyster Management Group Slipper Limpet Utilisation and Management Final Report Andy FitzGerald January 2007 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT FOR FISHERIES GUIDANCE Acknowledgements Many thanks to Mr Paul Ferris and Captain Andy Brigden of the Port of Truro Harbour Authority for their assistance in this study. I am grateful for the provision of the harbour vessel Two Castles with her crew that allowed us to collect slipper limpet stocks for this study. On the ground, information from the oystermen of the fishery has proved invaluable with appreciated input from Tim Vinnicombe, Frank Vinnicombe, Jon Bailey, Colin Frost, Dennis Laity and Mike Parsons. Martin Laity’s input with the extraction trial using the winkle sorter was particularly useful as was Sam Laity’s assistance with the translation of the French report. Potential partners for a trial to implement the study findings are thanked for their assistance to date and indications of future input. Representatives and companies include: -Malcolm Gilbert (Ammodytes of St Ives) -Nigel Ellis (Cornish Cuisine of Penryn) -Peter Tierney (Ciamar of Falmouth) -Rob Furse (Contac of St Austell) -Sam Evans (Kildavanan Seafoods of Fleetwood) Many thanks to Gary Cooper and Colin Bates from Port of Falmouth Health Authority for the microbiological examination of the slipper limpet samples. Particular thanks are due to Mr Martin Syvret of SEAFISH and Dr Clive Askew of SAGB for their comments and suggestions regarding the Draft Report. In addition, Martin Syvret’s input in the 8th International Conference of Shellfish Restoration 2005 and subsequent discussions with workers on slipper limpets was most useful. A vast number of other people have helped in discussions relating to this project as listed in Appendix E. Of all those who participated Msr. Michel Blanchard of IFREMER was particularly helpful. Many thanks to all of the above for their assistance. This report was produced on behalf of the Port of Truro Oyster Management Group. Andy FitzGerald Page 2 of 101 Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 Section A - Slipper Limpet Population Status.............................................................................................................. 9 A.1. OVERVIEW................................................................................................................................................... 9 A.2. IMPACT OF THE SLIPPER LIMPET....................................................................................................... 9 A.2.1 Impact on Commercial Fishing Activities............................................................................................... 9 A.2.1.1 Oysters............................................................................................................................................... 9 A.2.1.2 Mussels............................................................................................................................................ 10 A.2.1.3 Scallops ........................................................................................................................................... 11 A.2.1.4 Finfish.............................................................................................................................................. 12 A.2.2 Impact on Environment.......................................................................................................................... 12 A.2.2.1 Biodiversity...................................................................................................................................... 12 A.2.2.2 Water Quality .................................................................................................................................. 13 A.2.2.3 Geochemical Cycling....................................................................................................................... 13 A.3. POPULATION SUCCESS.......................................................................................................................... 14 A.3.1 Reproductive Advantage ........................................................................................................................ 14 A.3.2 Feeding Regime ....................................................................................................................................... 15 A.3.3 Environmental Tolerance....................................................................................................................... 16 A.3.4 Absence of Predators .............................................................................................................................. 17 A.3.5 Distribution Strategies............................................................................................................................ 17 A.4. EXTENSION OF RANGE.......................................................................................................................... 17 A.4.1 Natural Range and the US...................................................................................................................... 17 A.4.2 UK and Europe ....................................................................................................................................... 18 A.4.3 The World................................................................................................................................................ 20 A.5. COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................. 20 A.5.1 European Status...................................................................................................................................... 20 A.5.1.1 Bay of Brest ..................................................................................................................................... 21 A.5.1.2 Mont St Michel Bay ......................................................................................................................... 22 A.5.1.3 Arcachon Bay .................................................................................................................................. 22 A.5.1.4 German Wadden Sea ....................................................................................................................... 23 A.5.2 UK Status................................................................................................................................................. 24 A.5.2.1 Essex................................................................................................................................................ 24 A.5.2.2 Solent............................................................................................................................................... 25 A.5.2.3 English Channel .............................................................................................................................. 25 A.5.2.4 South Wales ..................................................................................................................................... 26 A.5.3 Carrick Roads / Fal System Status........................................................................................................ 26 A.5.3.1 Historical Slipper Limpet Levels ..................................................................................................... 26 A.5.3.2 Potential Reasons for Population Growth....................................................................................... 27 A.5.3.3 Population Density.......................................................................................................................... 28 A.5.3.4 Carrick Road ‘Hot-Spots’................................................................................................................ 28 A.5.3.5 Population Growth Rates ................................................................................................................ 30 A.6. SUMMARY.................................................................................................................................................. 31 Section B - Management Options...............................................................................................................................33 B.1. OVERVIEW................................................................................................................................................. 33 B.1.1 Eradication .............................................................................................................................................. 33 B.1.2 Control Population.................................................................................................................................. 33 B.1.3 Do Nothing............................................................................................................................................... 33 B.2. MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES.............................................................................................................. 34 B.2.1 Destruction by Chain Harrowing .......................................................................................................... 34 B.2.1.1 Theoretical Impact on Slipper Limpets...........................................................................................