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Table 5.9. Effects of New Bedford-style scallop dredges on mixed substrate habitat: summary of published studies. (S = statistically significant; citations in bold print are peer-reviewed publications.)

No. Reference Location Depth Sediment Effects Recovery Approach
1 Caddy 1968 Northumberland Strait, Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada 20 m Mud and sand Drag tracks (3 cm deep) produced by skids; smooth ridges between them produced by rings in drag belly; dislodged shells in dredge tracks.   Diver observations of physical effects of two tows.
2 Caddy 1973 Chaleur Bay, Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada 40-50 m Gravel over sand, with occasional boulders Suspended sediment; flat track, marks left by skids, rings, and tow bar; gravel fragments less frequent (many overturned); rocks dislodged or plowed along bottom.   Submersible observations of tow tracks made <1 hr after single dredge tows.
3 Mayer et al. 1991 Coastal Gulf of Maine, USA 8 m Mud, sand, and shell hash Lowered sediment surface by 2 cm, injected organic matter and finer sediment into lower 5-9 cm; increased mean grain size in upper 5 cm; disruption of surface diatom mat; increased microbial biomass at sediment surface.   Experimental study, compared dredged and undredged sites before and 1day after a single dredge tow.

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(Modified Jun. 13 2008)