Changes in the macrobenthic community in Breiðafjörður, west Iceland, following the cessation of scallop dredging

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The effect of the closure of the scallop fishery on the benthic community in Breiðafjörður was investigated by analysing bycatch data collected during the annual scallop stock survey. Although the community is still dominated by the same species as before the closure, Modiolus modiolus and Cucumaria frondosa, significant declines in production of some of the most abundant species have been observed. The variability among the faunal assemblages from areas subjected to different fishing pressure has decreased. However, more data are needed to verify unambiguously that the observed changes are due to the cessation of scallop dredging.