Escallop fishing around Ireland

Abstract

There are, at present, two main centres of escallop fishing around the Irish coasts, one situated in the inlets forming the north side of Galway Bay, and the other along this south-west coast from Schull, County Cork, to Valentia, County Kerry, the beds exploited in these areas are all inshore, ranging from a short distance to about two miles beyond low water mark and in depths varying from two to twenty fathoms. Extensive beds are uncommon, most of them being small and located between rocky areas where the bottom is suitable. Escallops are generally taken in the months of October to April. Minimum size limits are enforced.