Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) conduct annual dredge surveys within the Fal Oyster Fishery since taking over management of the fishery in 2014. The purpose of the survey was initially to assess the distribution and abundance of native oysters (Ostrea edulis) within the Fal Fishery management area in the River Fal, Cornwall. Since 2016 the survey has been developed to also assess queenies (queen scallop, Aequipecten opercularis; variegated scallop, Mimachlamys varia) distribution and abundance. In 2018, an addition to the survey was made to record the number of individual slipper limpets (Crepidula fornicata) at each site.
The aims of the survey were to investigate the relative abundance and distribution of native oysters (O. edulis), scallops (queen scallop, A. opercularis; variegated scallop, M. varia) and slipper limpets (C. fornicata) within the Fal Oyster Fishery. The distribution of substrate types across the fishery and species of bycatch were also recorded at each site.
In 2019, a total of 83 sites were completed and a total of 1710 oysters, 7015 scallops and 11412 slipper limpets were recorded. The analysis was done by Geographic Area; Harbour, Outer Harbour and River, and Management Areas; A, B and C so that the survey data corresponds with the Fal Fishery Shellfish return statistics.
