Dredges

Dredges (toothed mud dredges) are used extensively in waters off Victoria and Tasmania, including Bass Strait, to take Commercial Scallop.

The Australian-designed scallop dredge consists of a heavy steel frame covered with steel mesh on all sides, except the front (that is, the towed side). A toothed bar mounted across the lower front of the dredge helps to 'dig' the scallops out of the substrate. The weight of the dredge keeps it on the seabed as it is towed. As the dredge is dragged across the seabed, the scallops or mussels in its path enter the dredge and are retained by the mesh. A drag can last for 10–60 minutes, after which the dredge is winched up to the back of the vessel. The dredge enters a tipper device on the back of the vessel, and the contents are tipped onto a sorting table.