Fishing dredge

The gear is used to fish for scallops, oysters and other species of clams, crabs, and sea cucumber.

Dredges are also used in connection with the work of the naturalist in marine biology, notably on the Challenger Expedition.

Dredge nets have a coarse mesh in order to let organisms smaller than the target species through.

[2] The great weight and strength of the gear can disturb the ground it is towed over, overturning rocks and dislodging and crushing organisms in its path.

[1] Like a better mouse trap, there is still a challenge for inventors to produce a kinder and more gentle scallop dredge.